Could it be a red letter day for struggling Brown Edge post office?

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A village could be left without its 'crucial' post office after its postmaster admitted the business is struggling to survive.

Brown Edge postmaster Maurice Shevlin and wife Chrissy say their income has been squeezed so much by the Post Office in recent years they expect to close the branch.

The couple, who have run it for 11 years, say things have got worse since the launch of a transformation programme for sub-branches like theirs in 2014.

Mr Shevlin, aged 60, said: “The Post Office want postmasters to diversify into other retail markets, making the remuneration from the Post Office a secondary income.

"Many branches like mine were considered too small or location disadvantaged to be able to achieve this, so they were looking for somewhere else in the village that could provide some post office services, and we would receive a compensation package. But they haven't found anywhere."

The Shevlins have tried to diversify, running a travel agent from the branch for a time, and selling groceries. They also asked the Post Office for permission to offer further services, like a passport service, but this was denied.

Mr Shevlin said he had written to the Post Office asking what its plans were for sub-branches like his that could not relocate, but no answer has been forthcoming.

He has also contacted Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley.

“In June, I received my annual remuneration review and it's unbelievable," he said. “From October, I will see a reduction in my bread and butter remunerations, like UK parcels and letters and home shopping returns while they are offering an increase in hardly-used services. Another year and yet another reduction in income.


“We have been in limbo for three years. We have been living off savings, hoping something is around the corner. It's inevitable that we will close.

"The village has made it for us here. The job itself, working with the public, is great, but in a way, closing would be a relief. We would move back to the North East to be near our family and try to get some life back."

Mrs Shevlin, aged 58, added: “I feel despondent at the way the Post Office have been so dismissive of us. I would be gutted to close."

If the branch did close, the nearest alternatives would be at Stockton Brook or within Jack's Convenience Store in Norton.

Customer Natasha Payne, aged 53, from Norton Green, said: “I'm self-employed, so I use it very often. I don't know what I would do if it closed. It would be very sad."

Linda Lea, a Brown Edge parish councillor, has tried to help Mr and Mrs Shevlin to no avail. She said: “I wrote to the Post Office, asking if Maurice and Chrissy could offer other services like passport forms and vehicle tax. It took months to get any response.

“I have explained the problems people will have getting to Stockton Brook, but they just wouldn't listen to any of the arguments I put forward.

“The post office is crucial to the village. We have a restricted bus service and the road to Stockton Brook is awful – you cannot walk there. Maurice and Chrissy have tried everything to make the business work. I'm devastated."

A Post Office spokesman said: “We would like to reassure customers the Post Office is committed to maintaining a service in Brown Edge.

"We are seeking alternative premises for the post office, so local retailers interested in this business opportunity should contact us on 0845 266 8790." or email NNL@postoffice.co.uk."