Richmond'S old post office reopens on Monday as the town's newest pub.

The Ralph Fitz Randal, in Queens Road, replaces the old counters and sorting office.

The Wetherspoon's chain had aimed to open its newest venture at Christmas, but complications during the redevelopment of the sensitive site meant the launch date was set back, first for February and then the Easter weekend.

Planning restrictions ban music and pool tables and limit the opening of the beer garden until 9pm.

The opening will herald the arrival of 30 full and part-time jobs in a town which has seen a number of shops close over the past 12 months.

Among the closures are the former Spar store in the town centre, still empty while travel agents Captain Travel, in Finkle Street, went into liquidation last month.

Richmondshire District Council has also signalled it may move its base to a new business park at Colburn.

Landlords in Richmond have already claimed the number of pubs in the town is close to saturation point, with almost 40 premises with liquor licences - the equivalent of one for every 75 people living within a half-mile radius of the town centre.

Local licensed victuallers' chairman Steve Moss said: "There are people who are worried about the impact another new pub is going to have on their livelihood.