A NEW era dawned for Poole's post office as it opened for business in its new home.

Mayor of Poole Cllr Jeff Allen and council leader Cllr Brian Leverett officially cut the ribbon on the new office in WH Smith in the Towngate Centre.

After more than a century, the office moved out of its long-term Victorian home on the High Street.

Despite concerns about the move, early impressions were promising as a steady flow of customers passed through the new counters in WH Smith.

A large section at the rear of the store has been turned over to the post office and all the usual services have been transferred, said Ian Rowley, WH Smith area manager.

Cllr Leverett said that although he would have preferred to keep the post office in its old location, first impressions were encouraging.

He said: "There's no doubt I would rather it had stayed in its original location to best serve the people of Poole.

"However, we have moved on and I wish this venture every success. On first impressions, it looks a good facility.

"It is in the best interests of the town to see this work and I hope it serves the needs of the people of Poole."

Poole became the 37th office to be absorbed into a branch of WH Smith as part of the Post Office's attempts to stem multi-million pound losses.

The closure announcement of the historic office in Poole earlier this year prompted protests and petitions.