A postmistress has found an innovative way to reopen a Barrow post office.
Linda Lawrence had run the Oxford Street branch for 14 years before health issues as a result of Covid led her to closing her shop six months ago.
She had hoped to sell the business, but it did not happen and Linda said she was heartbroken as she felt she had let down her customers.
However, she came up with a different solution. Linda will remain as postmistress but has appointed an officer-in-charge.
Daniel Cooper, whose family runs the town’s Lakes Parade Post Office, is the officer-in-charge.
Linda knows the Cooper family through local church connections – Daniel’s dad is a Baptist minister.
Linda said: “I had been in good health until I got Covid in 2022 and I thought that I have got to listen to my body.
“It broke my heart having to close for all of my customers, but, especially for my elderly customers as it’s not just about the products and services that I sell, but the social purpose of a Post Office.
“I would often hear from customers that I was the only person that they had seen all week, and I would look out for my customers. If I hadn’t seen someone for a while I’d check on their wellbeing.
“I felt awful that the branch was closed for six months. I had hoped to sell the branch, but it fell through. I am very grateful to Daniel for taking on the officer-in-charge role. I will take a back seat role, but I will pop in to see customers every now and then.”
Daniel added: ““Linda is a very kind-hearted person who really cares about her community. I’m glad that I have been able to reopen this much-needed busy branch and I’m looking forward to serving all of her customers.”
The branch was reopened by Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham.
She said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved for finding a solution to reopen the branch which is so important to the local community.
“I know that a lot of work has gone into this, and I am really pleased that the branch has been able to open before the busy Christmas period.
