A former post office in Wolverhampton which was forced to shut under nationwide cuts could be brought back to life as a hot food takeaway, it has emerged.

Customers were upset when Upper Penn post office, in Penn Road, closed its doors for the last time in November as part of measures to reduce costs.

Now plans have now been submitted to transform the site into a food takeaway. Council bosses did not know exactly what food would be sold if the plans were given the go ahead.

Penn Councillor Paul Singh is keen to see the vacant shop brought back to life and would now be consulting with residents.

He said: “It was very sad when the post office closed and we would all like to see the site back open. We now need to know exactly what is planned there and what residents think about the plans.

“There are lots of things that need taking into consideration.

Councillor Singh added: “Although we want the site back open, it has to be something which fits in with the area and we want everybody to be happy with it.”

The Upper Penn post office branch was described as a “key part of the local community” by the Conservative parliamentary candidates Paul Uppal and Ken Wood, who handed in a 1,000-name petition protesting about the closures to 10 Downing Street.

Shutters also came down at Portobello, in Willenhall; Rushall, in Walsall; High Street, West Bromwich; Villiers Avenue, in Bilston; Newhampton Road West, in Whitmore Reans; and Prestwood Road, Wednesfield.