Southern Co-op is hoping to offer a simpler shopping experience to the local community as it combines the Post Office with its larger Binfield store.

With an extra self checkout and more Post Office hours, the independent, regional co-operative will be merging its two convenience stores which are currently around 90 metres from each other.

The changes are currently planned for April/May this year when the focus will move to the larger of the two stores which offers longer opening hours.

With colleague hours and job roles remaining the same, it is hoped that the move will see improved customer services and more consistency whilst enabling the store to remain competitive and have a sustainable operating model.

Simon Eastwood, Chief Operating Officer for retail at Southern Co-op, said: “It is important to us to continue providing much needed services to our customers and the local community.

“Whilst we have decided to close our smaller Binfield Post Office store, we want to reassure customers that all of the services will be transferred across the road and they will see the same familiar faces behind the tills.”

Post Office services will remain behind the counter so customers can now have a wider choice of products to buy at the same time as sending their post.

The move would mean the Post Office is open much longer – an extra 59 hours a week including much earlier opening and significantly later closing.

The opening hours would remain at Monday to Sunday: 7am – 10pm.

A wide range of Post Office services would be available, however, currencies would become pre-order only and car tax would no longer be available at this branch.

Ahead of the changes, Post Office is now starting a period of local consultation. It would like your views on access and the service offered at the new location. It is looking for feedback about accessibility, local community issues and anything that it can do to make life easier for customers.

Consultation will close on 24 March 2022. Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 214939.

Submissions can also be made via email to [email protected], by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.