CORRINGHAM Post Office is once more open for business - 12 months after its doors closed.

The branch, on St John's Way, closed in February last year following the retirement of long-serving postmaster Pravin 'Bob' Patel.

In November the Post Office announced it had agreed terms with a potential operator and Friday, 22 December was scheduled as the reopening date.

However, that fell by the wayside as negotiations could not be completed but today (Monday, 5 February) the premises, minus any retail facility, were open for Post Office transactions - though the full range of services is not yey available.

Today's opening was described as a 'soft' one, and there were three desks in operation and some ongoing installation issues with technology remain.

However, its owner reported on a steady day of business and says that there will be an official opening once teething troubles have been ironed out and it has been decided what to do with the large open space within the building.

There are three Post Office counters – two full screen and an open plan counter.

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The new Postmaster is Mohasinkhan Pathan. He is highly experienced and has three other Post Offices in London. A manager has been appointed to operate The Precinct Post Office.

The new opening hours for The Precinct are: Monday to Saturday: 9am – 6.30pm.

Mohammed Islam, Post Office Network ProvisionLead, said: "We are delighted that Mohasinkhan Pathanwho has been a Postmaster for ten years has taken on The Precinct Post Office, restoring Post Office services to this area of Corringham and with longer hours than before."