A new Post Office branch has been opened at Maxol Townparks Service Station in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

The branch is the first to serve the community around Ballymena Road, and is the first of three new-style local Post Office branches to open within the Maxol network in Northern Ireland.

Post Office services will be offered from a low-screened, open-plan Post Office counter that is integrated into the retail counter, enabling customers to carry out a wide range of Post Office transactions alongside retail and fuel purchases.

Maxol licensees, Charlie Henderson and wife Rhonda, said: “Maxol continues to invest in Townparks Service Station to bring a variety of services to our valued customers and create a real destination station.

“Just before Christmas we introduced the new Maxol fresh food café Moreish with seating for 20 people and free wi-fi. The Post Office counter is another great service we are pleased to offer to our customers and the local community.”

The Post Office services are available seven days a week during the service station’s opening hours of 7am to 11pm. This will offer customers 112 hours a week of Post Office services. Fuel is available 24/7.

The Post Office services available will include withdrawals using a Post Office Card Account, sending funds abroad using Moneygram, and customers will also be able to pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance and top up mobile phones.

Local councillor Paul Michael welcomed the new Post office saying: “This is great news for this very busy station and the local residents.”

Mark Gibson, Post Office public affairs manager, said: “We recognised the gap in our existing Post Office branch network and are delighted to be opening a brand new local branch, with the help of Maxol, which offers extended opening hours and a Sunday service, to meet the needs of the community around Ballymena Road, Antrim.”