At the news that Barnwell Post Office has been earmarked for closure, local campaigners are attempting to keep it open.

The government is planning on replacing the post office, which opens six days a week from 8am until 7:30pm, with an outreach program, which will include a range of goods and services in a van. The government offered owners, Mr and Mrs Rutterford, a compensation plan which involved a partnership which would greatly reduce the salaries of the couple. Consequently, on 5th March Mrs Rutterford turned down the offer. Campaigners are now pushing for judicial review and pressuring local MP Phil Hope in an attempt to reverse the decision.

The replacement van, provided by the new outreach program, would be far less convenient for the local customers from an estimated 50 villages from the surrounding area of Barnwell. The van will only be open for twelve hours a week and will only visit on specific days of the week. The van will not accept any parcel that is greater than 2kg.

The owners of the post office have run a fully stocked shop within the premises, and the closure of the post office may result in its closure due to financial pressures. To local residents the post office is more than just a shop. According to campaign leader Geoff Shacklock, it is the focal point of the village community.

The residents of Barnwell have fought tirelessly, backing the Evening Telegraph’s “Hands off Our Post Office” campaign. However, as of 10th April, the fight to save the post office still in full swing, with the owners being told that there are six months left before the closure of the post office. Campaigners claim that the only way to keep the business going is to make sure that it continues to be fully supported by the local community.