 The campaign was supported by the local council and local MP |
Campaigners trying to keep a rural post office open are celebrating after a U-turn by supermarket giant Tesco. The firm had planned to shut the office based in the Northfield Road One Stop store in Thatcham, Berkshire, when it was turned into a Tesco Express store.
After a campaign by residents saw a 1,596-signature petition handed to the company, it has been announced the post office will be retained in the store.
The campaign was supported by the local MP and West Berkshire council.
Steve Gracey, spokesman for Tesco, said: "We always said we wanted to open an improved food store and retain the Post Office within Thatcham. "After looking to relocate the Post Office locally it became obvious that this was not going to be possible.
"We carefully reviewed the layout plans and due to the shape and size of the store were able to create a plan, which included the Post Office."
Thatcham councillor Alexander Payton said: "This is brilliant news for all of the 1,596 local residents who took part in the petition to save the Post Office, who will have both the Tesco Express on their doorstep and also the Post Office that they need. "
The company has purchased the One-Stop chain of 900 shops - around 300 of which have post office counters - and is turning around half of those into Tesco Express stores.
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This is brilliant news for all of the 1,596 local residents who took part in the petition to save the Post Office 
