Traders say Post Office closure is 'damaging Stoke Village'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/pl ... ure-691333" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Exasperated traders say they're paying the price following the closure of their local post office.

Concerns are growing that Stoke's popularity is falling because its main draw on the high street has closed, with no buyer in sight.


Businesses in the area are concerned and are hoping that a new postmaster or postmistress can be found as soon as possible so the Post Office can be reopened.

Back in August, the Stoke Post Office branch shut after its postmistress, Jenny Clarke, decided to retire after an incredible 43-year run in the business.

Shelley Blake, 28, who has lived in Stoke for seven years and is a carer for her disabled husband, told The Herald at the time she was concerned for the future of the Stoke branch.

No-one has since been found to take on the shop - which locals say was targeted by vandals a month ago who smashed in the front window.

Despite several members of the public saying they would be willing to invest time and money to keep it open, nothing has materialised.

Karen Pilkington, member of Stoke Stars traders and residents association, fears Stoke village is being forgotten about.

And she said the Post Office closure is just one of a number of issues facing the village - with bins and parking also causing problems.

She said: "The closure of the Post Office has reduced quite a lot of footfall in the village, and that's a big concern.

"Parking, bins and rubbish are also big issues.

"We have quite a lot of multiple households and absentee landlords.

"The Post Office was one of the things that brought people in on a regular basis.

"It's having quite a detrimental effect on the local community."

Stoke Village has already been hit following the closure of its local library.

It was one of five libraries across the city to shut its doors on September 16, with communities in Eggbuckland, Ernesettle, Laira and Tothill also losing out.

Plymouth City Council bosses announced their intent in January 2017 to close ten of the city’s 17 libraries, transferring services online and moving out of “under-used and expensive” community buildings.

Stoke Stars member Alan Porter, of The Will Centre, in Devonport Road, said: "I know some traders have commented that trade has dropped off.

"I do believe the Post Office is one of the most important assets of the village and draws in people from outside and locals.


"When people go to the Post Office, they then go and visit other shops, like the florist and the Co-op.

"That footfall isn't happening and that's to the detriment of the traders, the village and the residents."

The Post Office has been contacted for comment.