A POST office in Sutton Scotney is to move premises, after the owner quit the service claiming she was given no other option.

Hayley Forsythe has co-owned Dever Stores for eight and a half years.

However, when approached by the Post Office to provide the service on a commission basis, Ms Forsythe declined.

She said: “On a commission basis we would be making £2.50 per hour. I had no choice but to let it go. They forced me into a corner.”

The change is part of a major shake-up by the Post Office.

However, the business was paid a redundancy package, which Ms Forsythe said will be used to revamp the store.

Public talks are taking place on its proposed move to the Texaco fuel station on Bullington Lane.

Chairman of the council, Lucy Dawson, has put her full support behind the change, saying it is the best thing for both parties involved.

"We are very happy about it," she said.

"We are a growing village and the two premises can complement each other."

However, some questions have been asked about the safety of the new location, especially when crossing the busy forecourt to reach it.

She added: "As a parish council we have been trying to get Hampshire County Council to put a crossing nearby as we in severe need.

"However, they cannot seem to find the money.

"It is very disappointing."

A public consultation is currently taking place in regards to the proposed move.

Another local branch relocating is the Lower Upham Post Office. It will now be located at Alma Inn on Alma Lane.

A spokesperson said: “The branch at Winchester Road closed temporarily in May, 2015 because the Postmaster resigned and the premises were withdrawn for Post Office use.

“We are now in a position to restore a service to our customers via a hosted outreach service, whereby a postmaster from a nearby branch visits at set times each week.”

The postmaster from Bishop’s Waltham Post Office is proposing to visit on Mondays noon-2pm and Thursdays 9am-11am.

To share your views on either service, visit postofficeviews.co.uk quoting code 343546 for Sutton Scotney or 206546 for Upham. Alternatively, you can email comments@postoffice.co.uk