A post office serving a community for four decades is on the move – but only next door.

Bell Dean Post Office is getting set to shift mere feet away into what used to be a fastfood takeaway in Greenway Drive, Allerton.

Postmaster Anand Patel, 38 who has worked behind the postal counter for the past ten years, says he hopes to open the new office in about eight weeks’ time.

He said: “We’re just moving with the times. Nothing is being taken away from the community – if anything they are going to get an even better service.”

Mr Anand’s father Jay owns the whole of the parade of shops and flats but recently retired from running the general store which shares space with the post office counter.

Now the shop is leased by new managers and Mr Anand says it is time for him to move.

As a formality, the Post Office is carrying out a full consultation with local people.