WHEELS are in motion to save Highworth’s post office after Midcounties Co-operative officially registered its interest in a new advertisement published by Post Office.

At the start of this month the post office revealed the results of its public consultation on a proposed move to the Budgens store in Swindon Road.

An overwhelming rejection by people who responded, as well as the 600-strong petition submitted by mayor Pam Adams, saw the proposals thrown out.

And now, within days of a new advert seeking retailers to take on the venture in Highworth being published, the Co-op, a popular choice among many stakeholders, has offered to start talks.

A spokesman for The Midcounties Co-operative said: “We are aware that Highworth Post Office has become available again, and we can confirm we have registered our interest to review the opportunity.”

The retailer has stopped short of making a full application at this stage, but the signs are promising and the latest news has been met with glee by Mrs Adams, who has campaigned to keep the branch in the town centre.

She has also received assurances from Post Office its branch will remain open in its Sheep Street location at the very least for the foreseeable future.

She said: “It will definitely stay open, even if it’s with new staff. They are also starting the process of asking for bids.

“I’m pleased (with the Co-operative’s interest) because I have actually been on the end of some bad press from the local people.

“They felt I was trying to destroy the post office, but I just wanted it in the right place for the people to access.

“I know, having spoken to Laura Tarling (senior stakeholder manager at Post Office), they have been in contact with the Co-op a lot.

“I’m really positive now that the process is going through faster than I thought, so the Post Office are listening to us and the Co-op are.”

Post Office maintains no bidder has been decided as yet, and the process will remain open to all retailers until December 5.

The estimated fees in the current location at Sheep Street range from £59,131 to £65,531 per annum, with an investment in the Post Office itself in the region of £20,000 to £50,000 on a matched funding basis.

The current premises, occupied by postmasters Paul and Karen Burdett, is listed as available.