FEARS for the future of the last remaining post office in World Heritage town Blaenavon appear to have finally been put to bed, with the branch set to relocate next month.

Residents expressed concerns after it was announced the post office in Prince Street was to close last year.

The postmaster, Chris Rowles, planned to shut the branch in November, but granted the town a reprieve by keeping it open in spite of falling revenue.

Mr Rowles, 55, said last year: “I didn’t want to see Blaenavon without a post office.

"I’m Blaenavon born and bred. I have lived in the town all my life.”

Post Office management announced in March that it hoped to move the branch to the Artie Craftie photography studios in Commercial Street near Broad Street.

Now, a consultation on the move has ended and the new branch is expected to open in July. Artie Craftie also submitted a planning application to Torfaen council last month [May], asking for permission to put up a metal gate for security at the new post office.

In a statement issued in March, the Post Office regional network manager for Wales, Adrian Wales, said: “We understand how important having a post office is to residents in Blaenavon.

"We are confident that this new modern branch will make it easier for our customers to do business with us and also secure services for the future.”

The Post Office said at the time the move would take place in July, subject to a successful consultation.

A spokesman said opening hours at the newArtie Craftie location would be 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on Saturday, offering customers almost three extra hours a week to access Post Office products and services.

The spokesman added that customers would be able to carry out a wide range of Post Office services including cash withdrawal services from partner banks and Post Office card account, in addition to access to Post Office Financial and Travel services as well as mail services.

The consultation on the move ended on May 26.

A Post Office spokesman said this week that they had yet to announce a final decision on the move.