STAFF training has been revealed as the reason why a new post office branch is not opening for as long as promised.

Blackrod residents had previously complained that the store in the Spar in Blackhorse Street, was closing at 5.30pm since it moved from New Street.

This is despite promises before its launch in March that it would be open from 8am to 10pm.

But Alisha Ramsden, who works at the branch, told The Bolton News that the current closing times were a result of staff being trained.

She said: “Everyone please understand that working on a post office has a lot to it and in order to open the full hours of the shop, which we will be doing eventually, every member of staff needs to be trained, but not just trained also to be capable on their own.

“Now, as we are explaining to everyone this is going to take time as not even Rita (a colleague) and I are fully confident on it and we have practice all the time, never mind the night staff who are part-time. Please be patient with us, we are all new to this, thank you.”

The news follows comments made at Monday’s Blackrod Town Council meeting.

Cllr John Price said: “We were told by a representative from the Post Office, and it was in the paper, that it would be open longer hours in the Spar than it used to be in New Street. But it isn’t. It closes at the same time as the New Street office did so I think we have been misled.”

A Post Office spokesman previously said: “We are sorry to learn of the concerns raised by customers about Blackrod Post Office in Bolton. We will look into the issues raised.”