MAIL bosses have approved plans to open a new South Harrow Post Office - 10 months after the previous branch suddenly closed.

Post Office Ltd announced today it will establish five counters within Ganapathy Cash and Carry, which lies 200 metres away from its previous location inside nearby KP Retail.

Customers will be able to use the replacement franchise from Wednesday August 18 onwards, and the office will open between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday with the same services being available as before.

All the responses to the public consultation, run for five weeks up to June 29, supported the move.

The previous franchise suddenly shut in October 2009 because, according the Post Office, "the premises were withdrawn for use as a Post Office".

This move – compounded by the lack of forewarning to customers – was condemned by Harrow Council, the local MP and other campaigners including members of the postmen's Communication Workers' Union, particularly as it came after the previous closure by the Royal Mail of a branch in Harrow on the Hill.

A Post Office spokesman said: "Our priority is to safeguard Post Office services to the local community in the longer term.

"The re-opening and relocation of South Harrow Post Office allows us to restore access to Post Office services in the area.

"Customers will benefit from the following: a brand new, modern purpose-built serving counter; level entry to assist customers with mobility constraints; a low-level writing desk; a low-level serving counter and a hearing loop. There are pay and display parking facilities outside the premises."