Bishop Auckland Post Office gets new permanent home

Cockton Hill Post Office in Bishop Auckland has confirmed that its interim branch at the SPAR store on Brooklands, which has been operating there since November 28 last year, will become its permanent home after undergoing a full refit.

You can find the permanent branch at SPAR, 2 Brooklands, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6PW.

The previous branch at 59 Cockton Hill Road closed with immediate effect on September 19, after the resignation of the postmaster.

The closure sparked frustration locally, with many residents describing the loss as “absolutely disgraceful” and “terrible”, particularly for elderly people and those who do not drive.

The previous Post Office closed in September last year. (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

An interim counter was then opened in the SPAR store in November, to restore postal services to the community.

Today (February 20), the Post Office has confirmed that the temporary arrangement will now be made permanent, bringing extended opening hours and services.

The interim service will close on Monday, March 2 at 1pm for the refit to be carried out. The permanent branch will then open on Thursday, March 5 at 1pm.

The new opening hours will be Monday to Sunday: 8am – 8pm, providing 84 hours of Post Office service per week.

There will be an extra 44 hours of service per week than currently provided including weekends, earlier opening and later closing and no lunchtime closing.

The same range of Post Office services will be available including everyday banking, cash and cheque deposits, cash withdrawals and account balances.

There will also be a low-level serving counter and writing desk, and a hearing loop.

The Drop & Collect Post Office service, offering parcel collection, pre-paid returns, bill payments and mobile top-ups, will remain in operation during the refit.

However, the service will stop on Wednesday, March 4 at 10.30pm in preparation for the reopening of the permanent branch the following day.

Customers can give their feedback on the move until March 20.

Views can be shared online at postofficeviews.co.uk or by email to comments@postoffice.co.uk.