MALMESBURY traders and residents have given their blessing to a local firm’s plans to take over the former Royal Mail sorting office.

Mindvision Media, run by Justin and Ruth Jeffery, announced plans for the landmark building before the sorting operation was moved to Wootton Bassett.

Now their application to convert it into their new headquarters is awaiting a decision by Wiltshire Council planners.

Support has already come from the town council and the residents’ association, while the chamber of commerce said it would “bring a much needed use to a redundant building and employment to the town centre.”

The company, which runs community site Malmesbury.com as well as counting the MOD and charity website Just Giving among its clients, says it has outgrown its current base at the business park on Tetbury Hill.

At the moment it has limited office space, no meeting rooms, no customer parking and a low profile.

“These limitations are proving to be prohibitive in the expansion of Mindvision and the new premises will serve very well to provide an office reception area on the ground floor, further offices on the first floor and a flat on the second and attic floors,” explained agent Ian Maslin in the application.

The sorting office used to house the Post Office counter - until it was relocated to the Co-op - and the sorting office on the ground floor with first and second floors used for offices and storage. Mindvision wants to install a reception on the ground floor and a new staircase to the first floor office.

He said the conversion, involving minimal changes to the existing layout apart from the creation of a new bedroom and bathroom in the attic and three dormer windows on the west side, would mean bring the building back to life and allow the firm to invite clients from outside the area.

Wiltshire Council’s target date for a decision is August 15.