THE long-awaited move of a village's post office is planned for next month after a final hurdle was cleared.

Work has been taking place on an extension at Goostrey Methodist Church in Main Road, allowing it to better accommodate Goostrey Post Office.

The church had stepped in to offer accommodation for the post office shop following the death of owner Margaret Kettle in December 2022, just weeks after she celebrated her 100th birthday.

But delays over planning permission for the use of the vestry area and installation of health and safety measures have held up the transfer since last year.

Now there is nothing to stop the transfer of the shop to the church after railings for the steps and ramp to the entrance were erected on Saturday, June 22.

The opening is planned for Monday, July 1, subject to the installation in the vestry of Post Office services and still to be officially confirmed.

The former shop premises have been sold and it is understood will be restored as a home by the new owners.

Unlike the present village store, the post office is not expected to continue the sales of food items and stationery due to the lack of space.

The move will bring an end to an era when it was famously known for generations as Margaret's 'Aladdin's Cave', where everything from a pin to an elephant was sold.