The Post Office has announced a public consultation into the proposed closure of its main office in Sheerness.

The proposal is to close the branch at 33 Broadway in October, following the opening of three new outlets inside shops in the town.

The new counters have opened in:

• The Premier Corner Shop at 82-84 High Street, Sheerness, with opening hours of 7am-8pm Monday to Thursday, 7am-9.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 8am-8pm Sunday;

• SS Convenience Store at 124 Queensway, with opening hours of 7am-9.30pm Monday to Saturday and 8am-9.30pm Sunday; and

• 3A's Wines, High Street, Sheerness, with opening hours of 7am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 8am-11pm Sunday.

The Post Office said the new branches would provide all post office services with the exception of a very small number of specialist services, which will be available at Minster Post Office, in Chapel Street.

The Post Office announced two years ago that the current Sheerness branch was not sustainable.

Roger Gale, Post Office network and sales director, said that partnering with retailers to offer Post Offices combined with shops would ensure that services remain at the heart of Sheerness.

He said: "The Post Office is continuing to successfully transform in line with fast-changing customer needs, providing our services where and when people want them, fitting with increasingly busy lives.

"Post Offices offer a wide range of services – including everyday banking for the UK's high street banks, online shopping returns and collections and foreign exchange – in a competitive marketplace.

"By opening more branches with retailers, bringing the benefits of shared footfall and overheads often alongside extended opening hours, we are able to keep our presence in key locations."

A public consultation on access to post office services in Sheerness following the closure of the Broadway branch started yesterday and will finish on Wednesday, September 12.

Views and comments can be provided on the website at www.postofficeviews.co.uk, by email at comments@postoffice.co.uk or by post to FREEPOST Your Comments, Post Office.