Post Office set to go mobile in village initiative in West Norfolk

Plans to introduce mobile Post Office services to several West Norfolk villages have been announced.

Eight communities across the borough have been included in the initiative announced on Friday, though no date has yet been set for it to start.

The villages included in the programme are Bircham, Brancaster Staithe, East Rudham, Harpley, Hillington, Sedgeford, Thornham and West Newton. A new post-master has been appointed to oversee the scheme.

And officials say that, in Brancaster Staithe, the move is intended to be a temporary measure until a new, permanent arrangement can be made.

But, in half of the villages covered, the service will only be available for one hour every week, though bosses maintain it does represent a step forward.

Matthew Hatfull, the Post Office's area network change manager, said: "Since the closure of Post Office services at the above locations, we have continued to work to identify a solution that will enable us to restore services to the local communities.

"This is a tried and tested way of maintaining service to smaller communities."

The company says final arrangements are currently being made to start the new programme.

Current arrangements for where and when the mobile service will operate are as follows:

Bircham: Mondays, 2.15-3.15pm at Bircham Social Club, Church Lane.

Brancaster Staithe: Tuesdays 2.30-3.30pm and Wednesdays 11.45am-12.45pm at Village Hall, Main Road.

East Rudham: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-10am and Wednesdays, 3.15-6pm at The Green.

Harpley: Mondays 10.45-11.45am at the Rose and Crown pub car park, Nethergate Street.

Hillington: Mondays 12.30-1.30pm and Tuesdays 4-5pm at the Ffolkes Arms Hotel, Lynn Road.

Sedgeford: Tuesdays 10.45-11.45am at the village hall, Jarvie Close.

Thornham: Tuesdays 2.15-3.15pm at the village hall, High Street.

West Newton: Mondays 4-5pm and Wednesdays 1.30-2.30pm at the village hall.