The local Post Office plays a vital role for many communities across rural Britain. It is more than just a place to post a letter or pay a bill - often they are the last shop in town, or a hub for social connection, and they play an crucial role in keeping communities connected, supporting local businesses, and sustaining rural economies.
Research shows that around 14% of Post Offices in rural areas are the only retail outlet in their community, and nearly four in ten households see their Post Office as a centre of social life.
The Countryside Alliance has been a vocal advocate for these vital hubs, and was delighted by Suffolk County Council's recent motion calling for more support to be given to rural post offices.
The motion, tabled by Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton (Reform UK), committed the county council to work with other stakeholders, including councils and MPs, to identify Post Office branches at risk of closure and explore solutions where resources allowed.
It also promoted awareness and support of the Countryside Alliance's ongoing campaign on post offices. The Alliance is calling on the government to maintain a minimum of 11,500 branches open, continue or increase funding, protect sub-postmasters, and implement gradual modernisation.
Sarah Lee, Director of Policy at the Countryside Alliance, commented:
"Rural Post Offices are lifelines for our villages and small towns.
"They provide essential services, help drive local business, and bring communities together. Modernisation must not come at the expense of the very people who rely on these services most."
The council motion received widespread support, with no votes cast against it. Suffolk County Council will now write to Post Office Limited, urging the company for sustainable funding for rural branches, better pay for postmasters and sub-postmasters and continued access to cash services in the county. It will also look at the costs of setting up an impact assessment scrutinising proposed closures and their impacts.
Cllr Faircloth-Mutton stated:
"In the heart of rural Suffolk, the Post Office is more than a place to send letters and collect parcels - it is the lifeblood of our villages and small towns.
"To speak of the Post Office is to speak of resilience, of tradition and everyday days that hold rural ties together.
"Post Offices are not only rural anchors, they are economic engines for rural Suffolk."