CHAPEL Lane in Wilmslow is to have a post office again following an absence of 11 years.

Fulshaw Post Office in Chapel Lane closed in 2008, leaving a gap in the community.

Now the post office is back at the McColls convenience store at 90/92 Chapel Lane.

The post office is to open from 1pm tomorrow, Friday, March 8.

Post Office spokesman Adam Williams said: “At the Post Office we are continually looking to refresh our network and ensure we meet our customer needs.

“The service [at McColls] will be one of our local style branches, with a low-screened, open-plan Post Office service point integrated into the retail counter.

“Customers will be able to carry out a wide range of Post Office transactions alongside retail purchases.

“The new service will offer long opening hours, with the Post Office opening hours in line with the retail business.”

The opening was welcomed by Max Eden, who campaigned more than 10 years ago to save Fulshaw Post Office from closure.

He said: “I was only 14 at the time, but knew it wasn’t right to close such a vital part of the community and campaigned to stop its closure.

“Alas, The Post Office decided it had to be closed, and the Chapel Lane Post Office ceased in 2008 and left a gap in the community.

“In that time I’ve seen amazing things happen on Chapel Lane, like the Chapel lane Business Group set up by Julie Dawn Potts, and brilliant local businesses have since joined the secondary trading area.

“The Lane is a bustling shopping area with everything you could need except a Post Office; that is until now.

“Big businesses do get it wrong, and I hope they came to realise that our Post Office shouldn’t have closed.

“That’s why I am delighted to hear a Post Office will be returning to Chapel Lane.

“Maybe our campaign all those years ago had something to do with it, maybe that wasn’t even a factor.

“Whichever, I am so pleased for the community to have its Post Office back.”

Cllr Angela McPake said: "On behalf of Wilmslow Town Council and as a councillor that covers the area, I am delighted to see a Post Office return to the Chapel Lane area of Wilmslow after a number of years.

"It is a great testament to the vibrancy of the lane and the work the Chapel Lane Business Group and local traders do to ensure it is a nice place to visit that the Post Office have decided to re-open here.

"I already know from local feedback that it will be well used and can only add to the reasons to visit Chapel Lane."