MARLBOROUGH charity Kennet Community Bus has stepped in to help pensioners access Post Office Services while the town’s branch is closed for renovations.

The branch, based in One Stop in the High Street, is closing for refurbishment on Tuesday, April 7 at 5.30pm and there will be no alternative facilities offered within the town.

When the Post Office reopens on Friday, April 24 at 1pm there will be five serving positions – one more than currently.

The four main counters will be open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5.30pm and a Post Office serving point will be at the retail counter which will be open Monday to Sunday from 6am to 10pm.

The addition of the retail counter service point equates to services being available for an extra 69 hours a week.

This counter will offer selected services including; special delivery, first and second class mail, home shopping returns, postal orders and local collect.

The change is part of a major modernisation programme across the Post Office network as a result of a £1.34bn government investment benefitting 8,000 branches.

The Post Office would not comment on whether the revamp would result in more jobs being created.

Alan Ridoutt, Post Office area manager, said: “We know how important Post Office services are to residents in Marlborough we are confident this vibrant modern Post Office, at the heart of the community, will be popular.

“The modernisation is part of a major Government investment programme.”

While work is carried out people are advised to use Post Offices in Burbage, Hungerford and Avebury.

There are also Post Offices at Great Bedwyn, Ramsbury, Aldbourne, and Pewsey.

Over the two and a half week closure, Kennet Community Bus will be running a weekly service to Burbage every Wednesday aimed at pensioners and people who collect their benefits from the Post Office.

The service will leave from the Jubilee Centre at 11am and will be free but a small donation would be appreciated.

Kennet Community Transport chairman Alexander Kirk Wilson said: “There are a lot of old

bods who collect their pension from the post office who have been left high and dry.

“It would have been better if we could have done it on Monday or Tuesday because they are the Post Office's busiest pension days but unfortunately we are chocker block on those days.

“We usually have a gap in the middle of the day after people have been brought into the New Road Centre and the Jubilee Centre, before taking them home again so we’re happy to be able to help.”

The bus seats 11 people by driver Rolly Lockey has said he will take multiple shuttles if necessary.