THE Lechlade community has celebrated the opening of a brand new and modern post office in the centre of town.

MP for the Cotswolds Geoffrey Clifton-Brown officially cut the ribbon to the modernised post office on Lechlade High Street last Thursday morning.

Residents turned out in force to support their freshly-updated community asset, with many saying how thrilled they were that the post office would now be open for longer while also offering new services.

“It’s the hub of the village really,” said Shirley Bell, who has lived in Lechlade for nine years. “You always see so many people you know and a quick two minute visit turns into a 15 minute one.

“The staff are amazingly helpful and we are so lucky to have it. It’s something we daren’t ever lose.”

John Deacon, who has lived on the High Street for nearly 20 years, said it was terrific that the post office was modernising.

“It seems to be conforming to new conditions that post offices require these days,” he said. “It’s very user friendly.”

Branch manager at Lechlade Pot Office Anne Wilden said she was so pleased at the turnout, as almost 50 residents showed up to support the launch.

“I’m really pleased at the amount of people that have showed up and that they realise how much work, money and time has gone into this,” she said.

MP for the Cotswolds Mr Clifton-Brown said he was delighted to be invited to cut the ribbon on the day.

“I’ve always thought of the post office as the glue that holds the community together,” he said. “It really is essential. Having longer opening hours is a fantastic addition to the community.”

Lechlade Post Office was officially opened by Mr Clifton-Brown, Anne Wilden, Post Office Area Manager Mark Jacobs and postmaster Nick Sandhu.

The new facility provides customers with a bright, new and modern open-plan retail environment with longer opening hours, staying open over lunchtime and opening much earlier and closing later.