Rural post office service shuts at short notice

The outreach services, such as this one in Marton, operated from vans and local buildings such as village halls

A rural post office service in three Shropshire villages has closed at short notice "with little regard" for the community, a local councillor has said.

A Post Office letter said that, in an "unplanned closure", the Pontesbury postmaster would no longer operate Minsterley, Hope and Shawbury outreach services.

Councillor Heather Kidd, who represents the area around Hope, said the closure of the service from Monday appeared to be permanent.

Post office outreach services are provided to maintain access to services in remote or underserved areas, often from mobile vans, community buildings or local firms.

Kidd, a Liberal Democrat member on Shropshire Council, said "There was no warning and [it] has been done at short notice with little regard to our very rural communities.

"We will be fighting this."

She said the service had been "well-loved" and had played an important part of community lunches held every Wednesday.

'Shockingly-handled'

Kidd urged people to take part in an online consultation, adding: "Please take part in this fight.

"Hope has already lost its school and shop. It is a resilient community. We need to let the Post Office know that."

She said it had been "shockingly-handled with little regard for us all".

The letter to customers said: "Regrettably, the postmaster from Pontesbury branch will no longer be operating Minsterley, Hope and Shawbury Hosted outreach services due to unforeseen circumstances.

"These services, will therefore, cease week commencing Monday 17 February 2025.

The letter, signed by Carol Williams, area change manager, said: "Please accept my apologies for the late notification on this occasion."

The letter said services at Acton Burnell and Worthen continued to operate as normal.

Both the Hope and Shawbury services had operated out of village halls and last year the opening hours were reduced from two hours to 90 minutes a week, along with the closure of other nearby services.