INNERLEITHEN residents will be able to pick up some fruit and veg with their stamps when their new Post Office opens its doors this week.

The Allotment – on the town’s High Street, will open its new Post Office concession to customers on Wednesday.

The shop is 60 metres from the previous Post Office at the Daymart newsagents along the street, which closed following the resignation of the postmaster in February 2017.

The closure sparked a long battle to bring the service back – with a controversial mobile outreach van operating in the interim.

In June, the good news was finally delivered after Post Office chiefs rubber stamped plans to return to the Tweeddale town on a full-time basis.

The Allotment store, which sells a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, opened in 2011.

It is run by business partners Susan Meikle and Hazel Millen.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Innerleithen Community Council, Marshall Douglas, is looking forward to the opening.

He told the Peeblesshire News: “We were pleased to hear earlier this summer that the Post Office will return to Innerleithen.

“This is a vital service, and it was a sad loss when the previous concession closed back in February last year.

“I’d like to thank Susan Meikle for her wonderful work in bringing this essential store back to the town.”

The store will offer a number of Post Office products and services throughout its opening hours from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. This will provide more than 38 hours of Post Office service every week.

Steven Simpson, Post Office area network change manager said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.”