Campaigners have won their battle to get a post office reopened three years after it shut down.

People living in Kemp Town, Brighton, fought against the Post Office's decision to close the branch at the junction of St George's Road and College Road in December 2002.

Traders complained that the area had lost some of its vitality since the branch closed with fewer people visiting to draw their pensions, post letters and carry out other chores.

The branch will open on Thursday, January 5, to replace another branch 450 yards to the east, at 66 St George's Road, which will close on December 31.

James Charter, of the Kemp Town Village Business Association, who runs the Egg & Spoon kitchenware shop a few doors away from the College Road branch, said: "The village seemed to get a bit quieter when it went.

"Before, there was always someone popping in there.

A post office still draws people in.

"There are quite a few sheltered accommodation flats for pensioners nearby so I am sure there will be a lot of demand for it."

Jay Ghillon, postmistress at the new branch, said: "I've been a resident of Kemp Town for many years and I am committed to responding to the needs of the community and forging links with other businesses."

The old branch is opposite The Dragon pub, near the junction of St George's Road and Eaton Place.

Outgoing postmaster Alex Granger said he was being deployed to another branch but he would miss some of the Kemp Town customers.

He said: "The pensioners who use the branch are relieved because there was a time when they thought they would have to go to the branch in St James's Street."

Peter Wass, landlord at The Dragon, said the closure of the branch could leave the end of St George's Road more isolated.

He said: "It will be bad for residents, there are a lot of people who barely manage to stagger to the branch where it is.

"I'm in my 40s and fit so it's not a problem but for some of the pensioners, it could be difficult to walk that far."

The new branch will be open from 9am until 5.30pm on weekdays and until 12.30pm on Saturdays
Wednesday, December 14, 2005