24-Jan-2008 Morning Advertiser - Post offices in rural pubs on the rise
More licensees are opening shops and taking on post-office services in an attempt to bolster declining business in rural village pubs.
Rural regeneration agency Pub is the Hub says enquiries from licensees have risen sharply since the Post Office began' its national programme of closures last year.
Hub director John Longden revealed enquiries were now running at an average 250 per week from hosts wanting advice on diversifying their business.
"There has been a marked increase in licensees enquiring about post offices and this undoubtedly stems from closures which are now beginning to take effect across the country". "But it's also evident that rural pubs are continuing to struggle and licensees want to know how they can boost their income from other sources," Longden said.
A large number of enquiries have stemmed from the Norfolk and Suffolk area in villages where post offices have closed and other services shut down. Longden revealed that 120 pubs across the UK now operate post offices on their premises, with 100 pubs housing village shops.
The cost of setting up a sub post office runs at between £5,000 and £10,000 depending on size, but generous grants are available from the Post Office.
Pub is the Hub has set up a new advisory group covering the south-east of England, making a total of six groups now operating across the country. Longden said the next target area would be East Anglia where there was now a clear need for a regional committee.
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