Benson post office to close later this month

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/83172 ... _to_close/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BENSON will be left without a post office for the first time in more than 100 years because there is no one to take over from the outgoing owners.

Sub-postmistress Cindy Olley, 68, who has retired with heart problems, will close the doors on August 18 after spending more than eight years trying to sell the business.

Elderly customers will have to travel to Wallingford or Dorchester to collect pensions.

MP John Howell called for villagers to launch a community post office, run by volunteers.

Mrs Olley’s husband, David, 70, said his wife’s condition was brought on by the stress of trying to make the business work.

Mr Olley, a parish councillor who helps run the post office, said: “I know there has been a post office here since at least 1908.

“People in the village will be angry that they are losing a local amenity — I’m angry that my wife’s illness has been brought on by the stress of running the business.

“Cindy has been forced to retire, and no one has come forward to take on the post office.”

The closure comes five months after Benson News, also in High Street, closed following the economic downturn and competition from a nearby supermarket.

In December, the parish council launched a campaign to encourage villagers to support Benson’s shops.

Dr Howell said he had held discussions with parish council chairman Bill Pattison about what action needed to be taken.

He said: “It is unacceptable that a village the size of Benson could be left without a post office.

“I think the only way forward is for villagers to launch a community-run post office to meet the needs of people living nearby.

“ It has happened nearby and been very successful — Warborough is a great example.

“I think this could be a brilliant opportunity for the village to take into its control a vital part of its infrastructure, and I am happy to help in any way I can.”

Mr Pattison warned that taking on a post office was a big commitment.

He said: “As a parish council we are keen to take a lead because residents are asking us to, but we can’t run the post office. As well as a community office, there are other options being explored, like a mobile service.

“So much responsibility has been stripped from post offices over the years, but they are still very important to a lot of people.”

Post Office spokesman Jacquie Stenson said the company hoped the closure would be “temporary”.

She said: “We are keen to maintain a Post Office service in the area and we are working within the local community to find a solution.

“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience that may be caused by the temporary closure.”

[Lounge Lizard]

“Cindy has been forced to retire, and no one has come forward to take on the post office.”
Someone will surely take it on if it's a viable business AND Cindy is asking a realistic sum of money for the business.

[andy2007]

Considering all the problems with the computer system they have to use, I'm not surprised at all! Have you seen this? : http://jfsa.org.uk/index.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Would YOU take on a Post Office, when something like this is happening to so many?