Post office bucks the trend and re-opens (From Thisisdorset)

Post office bucks the trend and re-opens

8:29am Friday 12th September 2008 in News

THE long-hoped for day arrived for Tophill on Portland with the re-opening of Easton Post Office after more than a year's closure.

Portland can now claim to have the record during this time of post office closures of being one of the few places nationwide to have an office re-open.

A number of people turned out to join in celebrating the opening ceremony by the island's centenarian George Davey, who cut a ribbon.

He said: "It has been a long wait for this to happen and now we can count ourselves very lucky to have the service back again with an experienced postmistress and staff."

Postmistress Sue Beacock presented George with a letter opener and pen engraved with his name and date and bought him the first first class stamp to be sold over the counter.

The refurbished premises have been altered to form one bright, airy shop space which allows more room for post office business and uncluttered card and accessory areas.

The shop shut in July 2007 with a sign in the window saying it had closed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Residents became worried that it would never re-open and Royal Mail admitted that the branch might not re-open. The previous subpostmistress resigned following an audit.

Community leaders said that it was vital that the post office re-opened - especially for the elderly.

Councillors estimated that between 12,000 and 13,000 people on Portland relied on the island's two post offices - in Easton and Fortuneswell.

The re-opening comes as nearly 24 dozen post offices are earmarked for closure or reduced services to save money.

Postmasters at Broadwey and Buxton Road in Weymouth are waiting to hear if they are for the axe when the final lists are published in October.