Red letter day as opening date for post office is announced

A NEW post office branch will now open in Stockton town centre in January next year.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

The new branch will open at 148 High Street in a refurbished former Furniture Express building at 1pm on Wednesday, January 7.

The grade II listed building had been announced as the new home of the town's post office branch, which had closed with the Wellington Square WHSmith shop in May.

The branch was supposed to open in September, but the date was pushed back twice due to "unexpected delays".

Now the Post Office says it will "restore service to the community in January", with extended hours.

Both of Stockton's MPs, Conservative Stockton West's Matt Vickers and Labour Stockton North's Chris McDonald, have spoken in Parliament previously about the closure of the Wellington Square branch.

Mr Vickers said: "I am relieved to hear confirmation that Stockton's post office will finally reopen early next year.

"There have been significant and frustrating issues with the electrical connection at the new location, and I was pleased to intervene to support the Post Office in resolving this issue, and bringing forward the opening to be as soon as possible.

"As a local lad, visiting the post office on our High Street remains a fond memory of growing up in our amazing town. I look forward to seeing the new branch open and serving local people."