MP opens new look Post Office in West Chiltington

Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert cut the ribbon to open the new look Post Office and improved convenience store in West Chiltington on Saturday morning (7 May).

Mr Herbert joined the community celebration to mark the completion of a modernisation project to improve the Nisa convenience store and its Post Office counter.

Shop owner Vim Odera and his family welcomed the MP and local residents to their bigger and brighter store.   Mr Odera has made a substantial personal investment into the shop alongside a grant from the Post Office Community Fund to make the improvements. 

West Sussex County Council Chairman Pat Arculus, Horsham District Councillor for West Chiltington John Blackhall and West Chiltington Parish Council Chairman Marshall Monks joined the MP at the event.

The West Chiltington branch of the Post Office is now classed as a Community Post Office, and the grant Mr Odera received for improvements was part of a £20 million national investment programme made available to 3,000 branches.  The Community Branch Fund forms part of a wider Post Office modernisation programme that is delivering better facilities and longer opening hours for customers.

Mrs Odera, the Postmaster, said: “We definitely have the wow factor now.  Customers have said that the Post Office and shop look really good.  The shop is more spacious and the building is better designed.  The community are pleased that they have retained a Post Office.”

Nick Herbert said: “I was delighted to have cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the new look Post Office and shop.  I could see from the number of people coming to the shop and post office what a valuable and popular local service it provides."

ENDS

Notes       

   1.     Photograph – Nick Herbert MP, with County Councillor Pat Arculus (far left), and shop owner Vim Odera (far back right).