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| Closed post office is re-opened | Closed post office is re-opened |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A post office that shut under a national closure programme is to re-open its doors after receiving help from the local county council. | |
| The branch at Buckhurst Hill in Essex closed eight months ago, one of hundreds across Britain already shut down under a review of the network. | The branch at Buckhurst Hill in Essex closed eight months ago, one of hundreds across Britain already shut down under a review of the network. |
| Now this post office, which is based in a convenience store, is the first to be re-opened with the help of a council. | Now this post office, which is based in a convenience store, is the first to be re-opened with the help of a council. |
| The Post Office said it had negotiated with Essex council for "many months". | |
| The council is not allowed to subsidise the business, but it is providing grants that can be used to make modifications to the shop. | The council is not allowed to subsidise the business, but it is providing grants that can be used to make modifications to the shop. |
| Essex County Council has set aside £1.5m with the aim of opening up to 15 branches which closed in the county. | Essex County Council has set aside £1.5m with the aim of opening up to 15 branches which closed in the county. |
| Now 150 councils have contacted Essex about adopting similar rescue plans in their areas. | Now 150 councils have contacted Essex about adopting similar rescue plans in their areas. |
| Many of these customers have been left wondering why the post office could not continue Essex County Council | Many of these customers have been left wondering why the post office could not continue Essex County Council |
| Praful Chavda, who runs the store where the post office is located, said his customers will be pleased that a post office counter will be available again. | Praful Chavda, who runs the store where the post office is located, said his customers will be pleased that a post office counter will be available again. |
| "When we closed a lot of my customers told me how strongly they felt about it and I had a lot of support," he said. | "When we closed a lot of my customers told me how strongly they felt about it and I had a lot of support," he said. |
| "It was a great shame we had to close, so when the opportunity came along from Essex County Council to reopen, I was pleased to accept the opportunity. | "It was a great shame we had to close, so when the opportunity came along from Essex County Council to reopen, I was pleased to accept the opportunity. |
| "Once word got around that we were reopening, I have had such positive comments from residents it has been really pleasing." | "Once word got around that we were reopening, I have had such positive comments from residents it has been really pleasing." |
| The council said that in many parts of Essex, the sub-post office is an important community facility as well as a commercial business. | The council said that in many parts of Essex, the sub-post office is an important community facility as well as a commercial business. |
| Ongoing closures | Ongoing closures |
| A spokesman said: "Our experience of the closure programme is one that is characterised by confusion and uncertainty. | A spokesman said: "Our experience of the closure programme is one that is characterised by confusion and uncertainty. |
| "Most local communities have continued to support the shops where the postal services were provided. | "Most local communities have continued to support the shops where the postal services were provided. |
| "Traders have reported a decline in business generally as well as unhappiness at having to turn away customers - both businesses and local residents. | "Traders have reported a decline in business generally as well as unhappiness at having to turn away customers - both businesses and local residents. |
| "Post Offices in Essex support literally hundreds of high street traders and they offer the only remaining service for customers who wish to deposit cash. | "Post Offices in Essex support literally hundreds of high street traders and they offer the only remaining service for customers who wish to deposit cash. |
| "Many of these customers have been left wondering why the post office could not continue." | "Many of these customers have been left wondering why the post office could not continue." |
| Some 2,500 post offices will shut by the end of the year under the current closure programme. | Some 2,500 post offices will shut by the end of the year under the current closure programme. |
| A Post Office spokesman said: "The Post Office has been in a constructive dialogue with Essex County Council for many months and we wish them every success in their venture." | A Post Office spokesman said: "The Post Office has been in a constructive dialogue with Essex County Council for many months and we wish them every success in their venture." |