PERSHORE’s MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a £370million investment programme to support the rural post office network.
The Government has announced funding which will help to grow the network and allow local post offices to invest in new technology.
The Post Office has moved into profit for the first time in 16 years and branch numbers are the most stable they have been for decades.
Mrs Baldwin has been a keen supporter of local post offices across Worcestershire including supporting the resumption of services in Alfrick, Kempsey and, most recently, Lower Broadheath.
As banks continue to reduce their high street presence, post office services will become more important in the local community.
The investment is aimed at protecting the rural post office network and helping to keep services available for local businesses as well as day-to-day customers.
“The post office network is becoming increasingly important as the banks withdraw their high street services and this huge financial commitment is great news,” she said.
“Local people value their visit to the local post office and smaller businesses depend on using post and banking services which can be accessed at their handy local store.
“The local network is growing and I have been pleased to support community-led ventures like the ones in Alfrick and Lower Broadheath where residents work together to protect and enhance services.
“We’ve also seen Barnards Green Post Office resume full operations after thugs stole the cashpoint and several local post office moving locations to be able to offer longer opening hours and greater flexibility.
“Over £2billion has been invested in the Post Office since 2010 and the operation has been transformed to be more customer-friendly and efficient.
“I look forward to seeing the detail on how this money will be spent locally to give us all an even better Post Office network.”
