A CLOSED Post Office in Botley is set to move from its home in a historic shopping parade to a nearby multi-million-pound development.

Residents are being asked to give their views on the planned relocation, which would see the branch go from a unit on Elms Parade to inside Co-Op in the new West Way development.

The current shop has been shut since March 25 due to 'staffing issues' because of the coronavirus pandemic. Proposals would include extended opening hours, with the Co-op Post Office open between 8am and 8pm on Monday through Saturday.

Before its temporary closure, the Elms Parade branch was open between 9am and 5.30pm, with an earlier 12.30pm closure on Saturdays.

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Services would include bill payment, cash withdrawals and foreign currency, postage, home shopping collections and returns.

But on demand travel insurance, as well as Passport Check and Send would no longer be available.

According to the consultation document, the nearest branch offering this would be St Giles Post Office on Woodstock Road.

Chris Church, a North Hinksey parish councillor, said in his view it was less important where the Post Office was as it still provided a service in Botley.

He said: "Speaking personally, I think the important thing is the current service is maintained and the local people who run the current Post Office don't lose their jobs."

A comment on a social media post from North Hinksey Parish Council, sharing a link to the consultation, described it as 'a shame' but a 'sign of the times'.

It comes after it was announced last week that Walton Street Post Office has shut for good.

Susanna Pressel, Labour city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said people were 'horrified' by that decision.

There are also plans to reopen the Botley branch in its current location.

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No date has been given by the Post Office officially but a sign on the shop shared online indicated it would be open from Monday, with reduced hours Monday to Friday.

A statement from the Post Office with the consultation said it was looking for feedback about 'accessibility, local community issues and anything that we can do to make life easier for our customers'.

The consultation will close on June 26, with a move expected in July/August. Customers can share their views online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 069137.

Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost Your Comments, or by telephone on 03452 66 01 15 or 03457 22 33 55.