A 15-metre hop into new premises could turn Cottingley Post Office into a modern open-plan branch with double its current opening hours.

The proposed new location for the branch is the Village Superstore, 1-3 The Parade, Cottingley, just across from its current site.

And the Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six-week public consultation.

Should the move go ahead, the branch would open from 6am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday and 6.30am to 9pm on Sundays. This would be 58 hours and 30 minutes more Post Office service than is currently offered every week.

The proposed move is part of major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments.

Councillor Mike Ellis (Con, Bingley Rural) has welcomed the proposals for a move of premises.

“At a time when we see so many Post Office branches either closing or being moved to inconvenient locations, it is pleasing to see this branch merely moving across the road from 4 The Parade, to 1-3 The Parade,” he said.

“The branch will be modernised and open longer hours, which will be very helpful for local residents who work.

“Having considered the proposals it looks like a win-win situation for local residents to me, one which compares very favourably with the situations in other relatively small communities.

“I am sure that people will share my satisfaction with the proposals and I hope that they will demonstrate this by responding supportively to the public consultation exercise”.

Post Office Regional Network Manager for Central England Adrian Wales said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Cottingley and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. He added: “This modernisation is part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and marks a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

During the consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered. The consultation will close on May 1.

Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost, YOUR COMMENTS, Post Office Ltd, via e-mail to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 223355.