THE two-month wait for a new Post Office in Bradwell finally came to an end today as the new branch opened at the village's Premier store.A number of local dignitaries, including borough councillors, were present for the launch, along with building contractors who had worked on getting the counter up and running in a short space of time following the closure of the previous Post Office in Beccles Road.

THE two-month wait for a new Post Office in Bradwell finally came to an end today as the new branch opened at the village's Premier store.

A number of local dignitaries, including borough councillors, were present for the launch, along with building contractors who had worked on getting the counter up and running in a short space of time following the closure of the previous Post Office in Beccles Road.

And the new branch received a positive response from the Post Office's first customer Eddie McDonald, 68, of Clay Lane, Bradwell, who had popped in to send off a couple of letters.

He said: “It looks fine. As I live up this end of Bradwell it is more convenient for me personally. I think the fact we have still got the post office in the village is the main thing.”

Borough councillor Sue Hacon cut

the ribbon to open the two new

counters at the front of the shop, designed to reflect a more modern, customer-friendly approach with no glass screens separating staff from customers.

Mrs Hacon, who represents Bradwell South and Hopton, said her company Integrated Business Systems, which she runs with her husband Ivor, 65, had been affected by the absence of a post office in Bradwell because her firm uses the postal service to send till rolls to retailers.

She said: “I was really sorry we lost the previous post office, but I am really joyous we have the new branch here at the Premier store. It has brought a breath of fresh air here in Bradwell and it has helped create more jobs.”

For Mr Patel, 55, who has run the shop for 15 years, the opening represented the realisation of months of hard work to get his store ready for the opening, as the Beccles Road branch only closed at the end of July. It has created three part-time jobs.

He thanked the contractors who had worked on the project, including builder Stacey Breynton, adding: “It is good news for the people in Bradwell and the villages. It is a very important aspect of the community having the Post Office re-opening. I hope people will use it and take advantage of it.”

He has had to double the size of his store to accommodate the new facility, which is at the front, rather than the back, of the shop, so it easily accessible for customers.