The Post Office has hit its 6,000th branch transformation milestone, as its modernisation programme, launched in 2012, continues apace.

The branch has been opened in the Thevarajah family’s newly refitted Spar store in Nyetimber, Bognor Regis.

More branches are being modernised every week, while separately, investment in 3,000 community branches is also being made available.

As with many other modernised branches, the new-look Nyetimber branch offers shoppers longer opening hours - an extra 25 hours per week.

It has also become one of more than 3,000 branches to open on a Sunday.

The Thevarajah family have run Nyetimber Stores for 15 years. Their son Than is the new subpostmaster and, according to the family, has been is the driving force behind the changes.

Than said: “We are really pleased that our store is marking such a significant milestone for the Post Office. The additional investment has been a terrific opportunity for us to modernise the branch and we’ve been working with the Post Office retail team to make the most of the extra retail space now we’re working open-plan. 

“We’re trading as a Spar and offering customers great value products, while the new in-store bakery should prove popular, and customers already love the longer opening hours, and the complete transformation we’ve achieved.”

The branch was opened  by Post Office chairman Tim Parker and chief executive Paula Vennells.

Tim Parker said: “The modernisation programme is about making sure Post Offices throughout the country are modern places for people to visit, have opening hours that suit customers, and are on a secure financial footing for the future.

 “I am delighted we have reached the milestone of 6,000 modernised branches and it has been great to meet Than and to hear about his plans for his business and how he sees the modernisation as acting as a springboard for the future success of his business.

Paula Vennells said: “Postmasters like Than are what makes the Post Office such a special business; it has been great to talk to him and to get a sense of the vital role the Post Office plays in the Nyetimber community.

 “The modernisation of Nyetimber Post Office is significant because it means we are securing the future of Post Office services for the future, as we have in thousands of communities across the UK”.