A NEW post office on Portland has received an ‘exceptionally positive’ response from residents.

Islanders have had to use services in Weston and Fortuneswell since the closure of their post office in Easton in December.

But the opening of the new service at Martin McColl, in Straits, yesterday was welcomed by Easton residents as a positive move, with particular benefits for the older people of the town.

Ron Roberts, 75, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. It’s the best thing to happen to Portland in a long while.”

The grandfather has been using the post office in Weston since December.

He added: “It was really surprising when the other one closed in Easton. There was no real notification.

“This is so much more convenient. I post parcels to my grandson, who lives in Australia, so it’s easier to carry the packages here.”

Staff at the outlet said they could not comment yesterday but a constant stream of people queued to post letters, parcels, and use other services offered by the Post Office.

The service at the convenience store will be trialled for a year to see if it meets the needs of the Easton community.

Post Office Field Change Advisor Matt Walls said: “Although the new Post Office services have only been available a few hours we have already had an exceptionally positive response from customers, who are delighted with the new surroundings and the added convenience provided by the extended opening hours.”

Residents were confident that it will ‘make a difference’ and that it will be used by those living in the town.

John Baker, 69, said: “People have been lost without their post office, especially anyone of my age. I think it’s stupendous, and it will make a difference to a lot of people.

“It is definitely going to be well-used.”

He added that the opening would relieve the pressure on neighbouring post offices.

“I used to go to Weston, and there was always a queue, though they did their best to cope. This will make things easier.”

Staff at the McColl store are receiving training in order to offer the new services, and opening times will be limited to 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 12.30pm on Saturdays while this is taking place.

When the training period is complete, the post office will open from 6am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays.

A date has not yet been announced when the opening times will be extended.

Susan Palmer, 66, said: “It’s so nice to be able to walk down to the post office again and use the services.

“We definitely need a post office here in Easton.

“It was a real shame when the other one closed.”