THE post office in Chadwell St Mary is to close while it undergoes a revamp enabling it to open for longer and deliver services more conveniently.

The River View shop is to be transformed into a “local-style” open-plan branch open for an extra 35 hours per week, including weekends.

The “local” concept will see the Chadwell store deliver services from two tills at the shop’s counter throughout opening hours.

It will close for refurbishment on Saturday, May 31 at 12.30pm, with the new branch due to open on Wednesday, June 5 at 1pm.

Kevin Shepherd, the Post Office area manager, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Chadwell St Mary and we are confident this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The refurb is part of a £640m investment in the national Post Office network.

*The nearest alternative Post Offices are in Grays, in Blackshots Lane Post Office and The Parade Post Office in Lodge Lane.