Threatened post office is saved

There was massive opposition to the planned closure

A Gloucestershire post office which was under threat of closure has been saved after town councillors struck a deal with postal chiefs.

The Uplands branch in Stroud was one of 26 in the county to shut as part of a nationwide programme to cut losses.

Following massive local opposition, the Post Office agreed to talks with civic chiefs to look at how it could reopen.

The town council will provide £10,000 of funding for the service this year and up to £25,000 for the next.

The closure decision was challenged in the High Court and opponents won a last-minute stay of execution.

Vulnerable residents

It was argued that the branch was located it a part of the town with a high percentage of elderly and disabled residents.

Stroud Mayor John Marjoram said: "The value of a post office to a community cannot be calculated on a purely profit-and-loss basis.

"They are an invaluable part of our social infrastructure, particularly to the most vulnerable residents.

"For a small council like ours to take over this service is not an easy option and it's not a cheap option. But we believe it is the right option if we want to maintain Stroud's great sense of community."

The branch was closed in August while negotiations continued.

A shop refit is under way a new computer system is being installed as part of the new contract.

Work is scheduled to finish in about two weeks time, when a date for an official opening ceremony will be announced.