MONTHS after re-opening its doors a Teesdale post office is again under the threat of closure and could be gone by the end of summer.
Gainford Post Office reopened in its new location on Main Road in January following a campaign to get the office up and running again after being shut for seven-months but is again facing closure because of a lack of people coming through the doors.
If a way isn’t found to increase trade, then the post office could close for good, says postmistress Diane Crossley.
She worked alongside the previous postmistress for five years and when she was forced to retire due to ill health, Miss Crossley campaigned to get the new branch up and running. Miss Crossley said: “More than 500 people signed the petition to reopen the post office but there is very little trade.”
Things are so bad that Miss Crossley decided to take her books to her accountant after the first 16 weeks of trading.
She added: “At present I am making a loss and my projected figures for my first year of trading I will earn £3,749. That is £1.58 per hour.”
The shop also has a small cafe and shop selling essentials as well as greetings cards.
She explained: “I do not get a wage from the Post Office – my income is based purely on commission. I get between 15p and 20p per transaction and with an average four customers an hour you can see what a struggle it is. Everything I earn through the post office goes on the bills and rent for the shop.”
The building is leased from St Osmond’s Parish Church on a six-month contract. Miss Crossley said: “ Things are so scary at the minute I dare not commit to a further six months and have given the church notice that I am quitting.”
One resident Maureen Gledhill said: “It would be awful to loose the post office. Diane has put so much work into getting it back and it is the centre of the village.”
Miss Crossley is looking for a lifeline for the service. Renting out the space to artists and designers is one idea that has been suggested and Miss Crossley is open to ideas that will mean the post office remains open.
