A BRADFORD post office gutted by a major fire is set to reopen next year after months of closure.

West Bowling Post Office, on Gaythorne Road, suffered extensive damage following the incident in November last year. 

Crews from Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield were called to the scene. 

After an investigation led by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was ruled as non-suspicious.

The Post Office has been undergoing major structural repairs and refurbishment. 

It will now reopen in January with the same postmaster, Omran Malik.

Mr Malik has run the West Bowling Post Office branch and convenience store for the past 14 years.

“I am really looking forward to re-opening my branch in January,” he said. 

“I have missed my customers. I would have liked to have restored service to my community before Christmas, but that was not possible. It took time for insurance matters settled before my landlord could undertake the structural work and refit.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

“The Post Office and convenience store will have the same layout as before as that worked well. Of course, it will be more modern.

“I will never forget the day of the fire. I got a call from our alarm company to say the alarm had gone off. I headed straight over and found the road cordoned off by police due to the blaze.”

The Post Office will be open between 9am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturday.

In the interim, alternative branches include Holme Top, Southfield Lane, St Johns, Wakefield Road and Bradford.