A COUNCILLOR has welcomed plans to move Burford’s post office into the town’s newsagent’s shop.

The Post Office is assessing feedback after carrying out a public consultation into plans to close the current branch in High Street and move the service to Burford News.

Opening hours would be increased by 29-and-a-half hours per week to 76 hours per week.

Mayor John White said: “We’re happy, because it’s much better than losing your post office altogether.”

Witney residents last year fought plans to shut the Market Square post office and move the service to WH Smith, in the Woolgate Centre, but Mr White said he did not expect similar opposition.

He said: “I can understand that the current place isn’t viable. It’s much the same here as in Witney but on a smaller scale. There won’t be any protests or people chaining themselves to the post office.”

The Post Office’s six-week consultation ended last month but a final decision is yet to be made.

If the move goes ahead, part of the company’s plan to modernise branches, the new postal counter will be open during Burford News’s normal opening hours, from Monday to Saturday between 7am and 6pm and on Sunday from 7am to 5pm.

Will Russell, the Post Office’s regional network manager, said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Burford and we’re confident this new, modern post office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.”