It won't be first class news for some - especially the paltry 21 folk who bothered to take part in the consultation about the future of Ormskirk Post Office - but QLocal was told yesterday that's its definitely closing on 22 Feb.

Here's the statement: 'The Post Office is set to move Ormskirk Post Office from its current location to create a modern open-plan branch for customers.

The new location for the branch is the WHSmith store at 13 Moor Street, around 160 metres from its current site in Aughton Street.

The new branch will continue to provide the same wide range of services (cash machine subject to relevant consents and planning permission).

Roger Gale, Post Office’s Sales and Trade Marketing Director, said that the change would help to ensure the branch is commercially viable into the future and therefore protect Post Office services on which customers in Ormskirk depend.

“Our customers’ needs continue to change and we are responding to that, taking the right action to sustain our services for years to come,” said Mr Gale.

The Post Office’s final plans for Ormskirk have been shaped following a six-week public consultation.

The new branch will have four counter positions with opening hours from 09.00 – 17.30 Monday to Friday (09.30 opening on Tuesday mornings) and 09.00 – 12.30 on Saturdays.

“We are committed to remaining on high streets and at the heart of communities and we are making changes right across our network to enable us to do so,” said Mr Gale.

The last day of service at the current branch is 22 February. The new branch will open on 23 February and will continue to be operated by the Post Office, with the existing branch team providing customer service.'

Mel Corfield from the Post Office PR office added that regarding the war memorial, it's currently speaking with Royal Mail to identify the most appropriate place to relocate it.