Council searching for new business to save village post office

PUB landlords and business owners in Brockenhurst could be approached to see if they are interested in taking on the village’s post office.

Parish councillors are fighting for its future because current postmistress Elizabeth Kernaghan is stepping down from the role in August.

The 27-year-old has only been in the role for a year, but struggled to make it work despite revamping the Brookley Road branch.

Councillors are keen to maintain a local post office but both the Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores in the village have turned down the opportunity to host it.

The owners of the local kebab shop and convenience store are said to be interested, but it was still being established whether the premises were large enough to accommodate a post office counter.

Speaking on Ms Kernaghan’s behalf, James Eden said that ideally someone with retail experience would take on the existing post office because the margins on its goods and services were very slim.

Mr Eden said: “Ms Kernaghan has to pay all the costs and the staff and also has to pay if they lose any money in the post office, say if a scammer comes along and scams them or something like that, so it can be a costly thing.”

Over the past year the outlet had lost around £15,000 and staffing accounted for two-thirds of its total costs.

However, he hoped the jobs at the post office would be saved as the two women in the roles were “highly liked and well-respected” by villagers.

Mr Eden added that the business enjoyed rate relief and shop owner Julia Lobley is keen for it to remain as a post office.

Nationally, the Post Office’s model id to place counters in convenience stores or shops, where sales of other goods complement it.

Mr Eden thought that adopting a similar model to Pilley, where there is a community store with a post office manned by paid staff and volunteers, could be an option. Or, he suggested, the parish council underwrite the business for a year to give it some time to find a solution.

Members pledged to open talks with the local business association and shop owners.

Cllr John Korbey suggested pub landlords be approached, naming the Foresters as a potential destination.

“It’s a popular pub and plenty of people go in there. It’s an idea as it’s a well-frequented spot in the village,” he said.

Cllr Maureen Holding urged the council do it all it can to maintain the post office. She said she had been contacted by residents who claimed they would be isolated and cut off without it, including a carer for a disabled youngster who cannot travel far.

Members sympathised with Ms Kernaghan’s efforts.

Parish chairman Cllr Pete Wales said she and the staff had done a “great job that was highly appreciated” by the community.

Any retailer or small business owner interested in incorporating a post office into their business should email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk or visit runapostoffice.co.uk to view details of the vacancy.

As reported in the A&T, Sway’s post office counter is closing because the new owners of the newsagents do not want to continue running it.