THE future of a West Oxfordshire post office has been secured.

Chipping Norton post office customers faced uncertainty over the future of the service when a sub-postmistress announced her retirement.

A new sub-postmistress for the High Street branch could not be found, but Midcounties Co-operative — which has a food store just doors away — has stepped in to safeguard the branch.

It has kept on the two remaining members of staff, and plans to recruit two more people.

The post office was closed on Thursday morning for the changeover.

New manager, Linda Allinson, said: “We are still trading from the same office. The staff have stayed with us, so it has all stayed the same.

“All the services, such as foreign currency and all that sort of thing, are still here.

“It has been very positive.

“People have been very friendly, and I think they have looked forward to it. We are up and running with no big bangs.”

Sue Berry, district manager of Midcounties Co-operative Post Office Group, said: “As a co-operative business, we are committed to serving local communities. This will ensure an important service is retained in the same location which people are used to.

“We will not only offer the same services as before, we will also look in future at how we can develop them.

“We have long experience of running post offices. We operate 85 post offices across our trading area, ranging from large city centre sites to small rural outlets.

“We believe in supporting our local communities and meeting the needs of our members and customers. When Post Office Ltd approached us to ask if we would like to take on Chipping Norton post office, we were happy to do so, and the move has been welcomed by local people.”

Sue Dakin, Post Office spokesman, added: “We are delighted Midcounties Co-operative has taken over the running of this branch.

“The transfer supports the long-term future of Post Office services in the area after a period of uncertainty, while a suitable successor to the last sub-postmistress couldn’t be found.

“Chipping Norton branch will remain at its current location.”