Allnuts Stores will re-open post office on November 23

Allnuts Stores in Allnuts Road, Epping, was forced to close more than 18 months ago, depriving its regular customers of a popular amenity.

It is now on schedule to re-open on November 23 with a brand new look, but the same well-appreciated facilities.

Former postmistress Shanhaz Javid said she was looking forward to getting back to her old job and would hold a re-opening party for her customers.

“I've done lots of work in the shop,” she said. “We've had new shop front installed and other bits and bobs.

“When it closed I was lucky enough to have a grandson who I spent a lot of time with, but I've missed the people. I'm looking forward to seeing the customers coming back.

“People have been coming in saying they're looking forward to re-opening. Up on the High Street they're overworked and it will help to take a bit off them. We will be better than ever.”

Allnuts Post Office was one of six branches across the district which closed down as part of a nationwide scheme of cutbacks.

In April this year it received the good news that Essex County Council was willing to back its re-opening following a successful local campaign by residents and councillors.

It was the second post office in the district to hear the good news after the branch in Station Way, Buckhurst Hill, which was the first in the county to be selected for re-opening.

The Guardian revealed earlier this year that the Grange Hill post office, in Chigwell, had also been considered for re-opening but those plans fell through amid acrimonious negotiations.

There are hopes that branch may still be re-opened with a recently granted planning application to build 69 homes on the Jennikings garden centre site contingent on extra funds for the Manor Road post office.