Community-run post offices ask parish councils for cash boost

Parish councils on the Isle of Wight have been asked to top up funds to keep the post offices open

Four community-run post offices on the Isle of Wight could be saved from closure if parish councils are willing to contribute further funds.

Rising costs and less footfall have seen the stores in Godshill, Totland, Brading and Wootton lose money.

Community Action Isle of Wight has run the not-for-profit post offices since 2011 with support of £5,000 each from Godshill and Totland parish councils.

The charity said to keep the rural sites open £7,000 is needed annually.

Mike Bulpitt, the chief executive of Community Action Isle of Wight, said: "It is very difficult to deliver financially viable post office services in rural areas with low population levels but they are still vital community services so sharing the cost helps keep them going."

Alison Child, the chair of Godshill Parish Council, said the results of a public consultation had been very positive in supporting the service so far.

She said: "The shops don't want to close down and don't want to be losing money, the only trouble is the footfall has gone down and the prices are quite high.

"So we need to help them because once the shop is gone, it is gone and we won't get them back."

On Monday Godshill Parish Council agreed its budget for the year ahead, which includes a 5% precept increase for residents and supports the store and service with up to £7,000.

The parish council is having a meeting with the community action group in the coming days to see if there are ways it can help the store be more successful and incorporate new ideas.

In Totland, the parish council has drafted a budget which would increase the support for the post office to £7,000 a year.

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