PURITON Post Office will be closed for three weeks for a major refurbishment it was announced this week.

The family who has run the Post Office for the past 47 years has stepped down from running the premises with the Post Office taking the opportunity to refurbish the branch.

New operators are taking over the store and Post Office with the current postmaster’s agreement.

The branch will close on Saturday, May 25 at 12.30pm for a full re-fit of the premises and it is due to reopen on Thursday, June 13 at 1pm.

The new opening hours will be Monday to Friday 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm; Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 1pm.

This is an extra 27 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week including Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Sunday morning, earlier opening and significantly later closing, making it more convenient for Post Office customers to visit.

Andy Healey, Post Office area network change manager said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

"We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.”