POST Office bosses are ploughing ahead with the Penrith branches move, despite thousands raising concerns.

The move is expected to offer people a better service, introducing a wider range of products.

Longer opening times and a and a service that will give the customers more options to deposit and withdraw cash.

The new site will be in WH Smiths, at Unit 4 Angel Square, this is set to open 8.30am on Thursday, August, 29.

A new modern and open plan store is planned which is expected to take advantage of the items already on offer in the high-street stationery shop such as retail offers of stationery, gifts and greetings cards.

The services will be available in the community for longer, with extra opening hours added.

The move prompted Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, to get involved he met with management to try and stop the move.

Last August, after the announcement, Mr Stewart created a petition inviting people to sign against the proposal.

The community opposed the move and voiced a number of concerns about staffing and the community.

The MP said: “I am very disappointed to hear that the Post Office will be moving.

“I met with the Post Office representatives in Penrith to argue against this move and very much hoped this would not happen, as I know hundreds of others did.

“A total of 3,684 people signed my petition against the move, showing the clear strength of feeling in the community. Concerns were raised about the limited space available in WHSmith, and the impact the move would have on both Post Office staff and the local community, and those concerns persist.

“Unfortunately despite people’s concerns and our efforts, the Post Office has decided to go ahead with the move. I would like to thank all those who signed the petition for your efforts.”

Following the consultation, the move has been finalised and the new branch will be operated by WHSmith Ltd, who have operated a number of branches across the country for a number of years.

The new Post office will have three serving positions, one screened and two open-plan counters.

Services will be available, seven days a week.

Roger Gale, Network and Sales director, said that the change would help to ensure the branch is commercially viable into the future and therefore protect Post Office services on which customers in the area depend.

He said: “The Post Office is committed to keeping our services at the heart of communities which we know is hugely important to people. This change means we can continue to do that, into the future.

“We are making sure we take the right action to sustain services for years to come.”