A DENTAL surgery is earmarked for a former post office which closed at the start of this year.

Shaw Heath Post Office at the One Stop Stores in Mobberley Road, Knutsford, closed on February 23 due to the withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use.

A Post Office spokesman said at the time: “The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.

“We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf.”

The vacant was advertised on the website runapostoffice.co.uk, but the building remains empty, and plans have been submitted to change the use of the premises into a dental surgery.

Planning permission is being sought by Mr Ward from Cheshire East Council for the change of use, and comments on the scheme, reference 19/5584M, can be submitted on the council’s planning website until January 2.

The application said the surgery would employ eight full-time staff, there would be 12 parking spaces, an increase of two over the current number, and the opening hours would be 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

A Post Office spokesman said today (Thursday): “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the temporary closure of Shaw Heath Post Office following the withdrawal of premises for Post Office use.

"The branch was run by an independent retailer who closed their shop and at the same time resigned from the Post Office.

"While we always work hard to maintain Post Office services, we are not the owner of the premises, and regrettably we are unable to re-open the branch at present.

“We understand how important a Post Office can be to a community, and would like to reassure customers that we are working hard to restore services to them as soon as possible."

Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the Post Office and incorporating it into their business should ring 0333 345 5560 - option 2 and talk to an advisor or email ND.enquiries@postoffice.co.uk or visit runapostoffice.co.uk.”