21 October 2013
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin joined local Malvern Link shoppers to celebrate the unveiling of a new look Post Office. And the MP cut the ceremonial ribbon on the Malvern Link store with Sub-Postmistress Anne Deegan before being given a tour of the impressive new facilities. The Post Office has been given the overhaul to allow it to offer a full range of postal services as well as enjoying additional opening hours. Dozens of people turned up at the official opening ceremony before regulars were treated to an impromptu bingo game. Harriett commented: "I am very impressed with the new look store and I am sure it will go down well with local shoppers. "This is yet another impressive investment in Malvern Link and local people must be very proud of their local Post Office. "Now that Royal Mail is in the private sector, I would like to emphasise this Government's commitment to the Post Office network which remains in public ownership. Not only have we committed to keeping 11,500 post offices open, the Government is backing that commitment with £1.34 billion of subsidy. " Malvern Link Post Office now has three serving positions which are a mixture of one traditional screened and one open plan counter positions and a Post Office serving point at the retail counter - a new concept for delivering Post Office products and services alongside retail transactions during shop opening hours. Anne commented: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to modernise the branch and I am very pleased to be officially launching it today for the community. "I hope our customers like the new branch and I'd like to thank Harriett for coming today. I'd also like to thank the local community for their continued support and use of the branch." Richard Lynds, Post Office Regional Manager, said: "We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in the area and I am confident that this new modern Post Office will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. He added: "The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new-style branches and this investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes."