COUNCILLORS are claiming victory in their campaign to save a suburban post office.

The Post Office will still close its Newton Hall branch, on Alnwick Road, and move services to the nearby McColl’s shop.

However, local county councillors say services which were to be lost will now continue, including facilities for paying in cheques, Transcash and Royal Mail Parcelforce international services.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood said: “Residents will not have to go into the city for services.

“Furthermore, internal access at the new branch was a big concern. We must wait to see if concerns about this have been fully addressed.”

Cllr Mark Wilkes said: “In an ideal world we would still have a main branch.

“However, what we are now being offered is far and away better than the original proposals.

“Protection of services, improved access, improved capacity and a full review over three months.

“The Post Office has agreed to full monitoring. We will also be personally monitoring this. Any reduction in service quality will be robustly challenged in the local community.”

Cllr Mamie Simmons said: “What we have achieved by way of improvements is leaps and bounds ahead of what we could have ended up with.

“Of course the first few months of the changes will be key. We will be in touch if there is any drop in service quality.”

The Post Office said its proposals are part of a three-year investment programme which will see 6,000 branches converted to the new style.

Bosses also say the change will mean better disabled access and longer opening hours – 6am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 9pm on Sundays.

The move to McColl’s is expected to take place in February.