THE future of Chipping Norton’s post office has been secured.

Customers feared for the future of the service when the sub-postmistress announced she was retiring – and no-one could be found to take over.

But the Midcounties Co-op — which has a supermarket just doors away — has stepped in to safeguard the High Street branch.

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

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

“All the services, such as foreign currency, 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 the Co-op’s post office group, said: “This will ensure an important service is retained in the same location which people are used to.

“We have long experience of running post offices and operate 85 across our trading area.

“We believe in supporting our local communities and meeting the needs of our members and customers.”

Post Office spokesman Sue Dakin said they were delighted the Co-op had stepped in.

l The takeover at Chipping Norton comes 16 months after the Post Office shut 22 of its 188 county branches as part of a nationwide cost-cutting measure.

jrivett@oxfordmail.co.uk