A NEW main post office for Christchurch was delivered on time with the opening of a relocated and franchised outlet in Church Street.

Taking over a former toy shop, the new branch is managed by Christchurch Postings in partnership with the Post Office to offer a full range of more than 170 Post Office products and services.

As well as five Post Office cashier positions, the new business also includes cards, gifts, stationery, sweets, newspapers and cigarettes; offers longer opening hours than its predecessor Crown Post Office and better disabled facilities including easy access, a low-level counter and induction hearing loop.

A team of eight staff in lilac at the new post office is headed by Christchurch Postings boss Lakhweer Gill who started his career as a postman before serving behind the counter, and moving into franchised sub-post offices where he managed one of the busiest branches in the country at Hedge End near Southampton. Mr Gill also opened a franchised post office at Lymington in 1991 and has had three post offices in Southampton before launching his new venture in Christchurch.

He said: "It's been a steady start and the response has been good. Nobody has complained and we have had some very nice comments. We're asking customers for their feedback so that we can provide the services they want."

Post Office business development manager Mick Searle said: "I am sure that the people of Christchurch will be pleased with their new post office and I would urge them to visit the new branch to see what's on offer for themselves."