Fresh from £65,000 refurb, the Essex Road post office reopened with a bit of a fanfare.

The branch was closed for two weeks while the work was done, but was back in business by last month and will now open for an extra five hours each week.

Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, who cut the ribbon on the rejuvenated post office said: “It is a major transformation.

“It looks very modern and professional. The open-plan counters make it far easier for customers and staff to talk to each other.

“This post office is vital to the local community and I am confident the improvements will be warmly welcomed by my constituents.

“Extending the opening hours at the start and the end of the day helps customers to pop in.” before they go to work or on their way home.”