Sheffield community starts up post office

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Residents of a Sheffield suburb have opened their own full-time post office after facing a walk of more than a mile to access services for the past year.

The previous post office in Darnall closed last August, meaning residents had to travel to other facilities.

Darnall Forum, a charity whose members are local residents, has set up shop in their offices on Main Street.

It will run as a social enterprise, meaning any profits will be put back into the community.

The forum was set up to promote the regeneration of the area.
'Valued service'

Members received a £10,000 grant from the city council towards the post office start-up costs and applied for a £40,000 loan.

Sylvia Hamilton, of Darnall Forum, said: "We believe this is the first time anywhere in the UK that a charity itself has been given the green light to manage a full-time post office rather than an individual.

"It will no doubt be encouraging news to other community groups that may consider similar action.

"Today we are setting an important precedent for how local communities in other cities could keep their local post office open in future."

Councillor Paul Scriven, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "What's happening today in Darnall is a brilliant example of people taking positive action to preserve a valued local service."