BUCKFASTLEIGH post office has been saved from closure – with a move over the road to a local newsagents.

The post office will close its doors next Wednesday, June 5, after 150 years of trading in its Fore Street building. It will reopen in Huccaby’s News – also in Fore Street – the following Monday, June 10.

The town’s post office has been seriously struggling and running at a loss in recent years. Facing imminent closure postmistress Beverley Garland has successfully teamed up with Pete and Angela Collings, of Huccaby’s, to move the post office into their shop.

Beverley, who’s been at the post office for nine years, said: ‘I’m feeling very positive and hugely relieved about the move. Morally I wanted a post office to stay in the town but I couldn’t carry on financially as it was. For the last two years I’ve been working alone here, for 55 hours a week, on half minimum wage.

‘I initiated the move to Huccaby’s as, unfortunately, Post Office Ltd don’t want stand alone post offices anymore because they’re not financially viable with decreasing customers numbers, online competition and increasing running costs. They also wouldn’t look to resite a post office because we have Buckfast post office around a mile away.

‘The sad thing is there’s been a post office in this building in the centre of town for 150 years but at least now Buckfastleigh won’t lose its post office.

‘Losing the post office would’ve been death for the town so it’s good news. I’m pleased for the town and relieved for myself.’

Beverley said she’ll be helping to train staff at Huccaby’s for around 12 months and then hopefully return to her former career as a secondary school teacher.

She added: ‘Although working in the post office was an unexpected change of career I’ve really enjoyed it, have loved working with the public, and will miss it.’

The new post office will consist of two open-plan counters alongside the retail counter at Huccaby’s. Opening hours will stay the same – Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday from 8.30am to 1pm.

Pete Collings, of Huccaby’s, said he was really happy Beverley is staying on during the transition period.

He said: ‘The long term plan is for Beverley to resign and me to become postmaster but, temporarily, she will work here to give us some continuity. Her nine years of experience will be invaluable to us.

‘If the post office hadn’t been saved the damage to the local community – my shop included – would’ve been life threatening to the town. Nationwide, retailing is a harsh place to be at the moment. This move of the post office to our newsagents is a mix of self preservation and doing the right thing for the community.’

Buckfastleigh mayor Andy Stokes said the town council was very relieved the town was retaining a post office.

He said: ‘We know that rural post offices everywhere are struggling to keep going, as are all our high street shops. They have been particularly hit by the Government chopping the payments they make for services practically in half over the last nine years.

‘Not everyone is able to make transactions online and, with local banks disappearing, lots of people rely on the post office to get cash and make payments. It hits older and less well-off people most when a post office is lost.

‘So I am very grateful to Beverley and Peter for making this happen. I know they have jumped through a lot of hoops to ensure that we can still have a post office in the town and it’s not been an easy process. It’s now up to us to use it and make sure it stays open.’

Post Office Ltd has opened a six-week public consultation on the relocation of Buckfastleigh’s Post Office, until July 2.

They are inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move, including accessibility and local community issues. People can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 205552.

Submissions can also be made via email to [email protected], by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.