A community-run Post Office is set to open in a South Cumbrian town next week.
Broughton-in-Furness’ previous Post Office closed in June and the town was facing having no service at all.
But a group of residents stepped up and formed Broughton Community Services CIC.
The community interest company was set up to run a post office, community shop and visitor information service on a not-for-profit basis at the tourist information centre on The Square.
After months of fundraising and completing a comprehensive application process with Post Office Ltd, Broughton Community Services was awarded a contract to run a post office counter service.
It will be officially opened on Tuesday, December 9 at 1pm by manager Siobhan Rawlins and information service volunteer Kathy Bartlett.
Helping to mark the occasion will be Carol Lister, area manager; Jonny Walker, branch projects manager and Esha Denwood, on-site trainer from Post Office Ltd. alongside a team of Broughton Community Service volunteers and invited dignitaries.
Members of Holborn Hill Royal Brass Band will be adding to the joyful atmosphere as the first post office transactions are made in the new branch.
Broughton Community Services director Andrew Gittins said: “It is very exciting to see all our hard work come to fruition.
“Broughton really needs its post office and we are so grateful to everyone who gave us support and donated to help make this a reality.
“This just shows that when a community pulls together, anything is possible.”
Annette Carmichael, who spearheaded the project, added: “Broughton folk have been grand. We have a great team of volunteers to help run the shop and information service alongside our PO staff Siobhan Rawlins and Ingrid Guy.
“I’d also like to thank Sam Williams, our Post Office area change manager, who has been amazingly supportive.”
Meanwhile, residents are still in dispute with Royal Mail over the siting of a post box in the town.
The firm sealed up the existing postbox on Princess Street was sealed up when the building stopped being a Post Office. Royal Mail said its replacement would be on a pedestal on Station Road’s pavement – by the town’s auction mart.
But townsfolk say the site is not suitable and have asked Royal Mail to erect a post box outside the tourist information centre.
Annette said despite a petition being launched and Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham getting involved, no progress on the new site had been made.
Cumbria Crack first reported on the issue in September and at the time, Royal Mail said it was aware of people’s concerns and would take them into account. We asked why Station Road had been chosen but they did not answer our questions directly.
Instead, a spokesman said: “There’s a number of reasons that will be considered. These include accessibility for the postman or woman, whether it’s on public and not private land, and as they go quite deep, whether there’s any electricals or water piping that needs to be considered.”
