Postmaster fears for the future of village service

Mohammed Arif has been running the Longthorpe Post Office for the past nine years

A village postmaster has said he will need to expand his retail offering to save his business after the community's use of the Post Office has declined.

Mohammed Arif has been running the Longthorpe Post Office on Thorpe Road, Peterborough, for nine years, but said he "can't commit" to meeting the demand for longer opening hours and more retail options.

Mr Arif recently applied for an alcohol licence to be granted to the Post Office, alongside an extension of opening hours – with the aim of selling the business.

Some residents in the village have objected to the application, which has impacted his trade.

Mr Arif said he has been in talks with a few interested parties who hope to take over the business and offer "the commitment it needs".

But he hopes to continue as the postmaster even if he is not part of the business.

“The alcohol licence will make [the Post Office] more saleable but people have been very negative about it,” Arif said.

“I feel a bit targeted personally. Since the application has gone in – some people who would normally be cheerful have come in and not said any ‘hello or bye’. My trade has been impacted.”

The alcohol license application will be discussed by Peterborough City Council. Residents have until 19 August to support or object to the application.

The Post Office is the only shop serving the Longthorpe village area of Peterborough

‘Use it or lose it’

The contract for Mr Arif’s Post Office, which also stocks basic household and stationary items and on-the-go food and drinks, is up for renewal next year.

The Post Office is the only shop serving Longthorpe. The next nearest shop is about a mile away in Netherton.

Mr Arif said he thinks the “lack of footfall” was killing the Post Office brand around the country.

“It has been a good ride over the years, but going forward it needs something more to stay open,” Mr Arif said.

“We calculated last year and less than 10% of the village actually uses the service.

“If the village wants a Post Office they need to support it. If not, I am afraid I have to walk away.

“It’s sad if it goes because there is nothing else in the village in the form of shops and some elderly [residents] rely on it for smaller bits. So I guess use it or lose it.”

The Post Office has been contacted for a comment.