THERE is relief in Melksham as the Post Office has made a decision to not franchise and move the town’s branch.

Instead of it going from Church Street to Bank Street it will remain where it is and money will be spent modernising the premises.

Residents and the town council opposed the move and Melksham Cllr Jon Hubbard welcomed the announcement.

He said: “I am delighted that the Post Office has seen sense and agreed to keep the current site.

“This is good news for Melksham and I look forward to seeing the refurbishment take place sooner rather than later.

“I just wish that we hadn’t had to go through the pain of the past 12 months with all of the uncertainty and worry.”

Uncertainty has surrounded the Post Office for years. In April 2011 it was put up for sale, but a year later taken off the market.

Then, in March 2013, the Post Office announced it was planning to close the office and relocate its services as part of a major shake-up of the national Crown Post Office network.

Plans were approved in February this year to move it to 6-8 Bank Street, in the old Carpet Barn store to be run by Crabb and Andrews Retail, which sells greeting cards, stationery and confectionery at two Post Office shops in Bristol.

But in March, one month before the move was scheduled to happen, a letter was sent to Melksham Town Hall by franchise project manager Sally Buchanan confirming the move had been delayed indefinitely.

A spokesman from the Crown Post Office Network said: “Post Office can confirm that we have not found a suitable retail partner that would help secure the future of Melksham Post Office, and we will not be continuing with our search.

"The branch has a secure future. Customers are likely to see modernisation works happen in the coming spring.”