After about 50 years in its location on the High Street, in December 2015 Post Office Ltd. decided to close our post office and relocate it to a “New Local Style Post Office” across the road at the Paper Shop. Suzanne Richardson, Regional Network Manager at the Post Office said at the time: “The move of this branch is part of our modernisation and investment plans to provide a Post Office network that is sustainable and will better meet customer needs for the future. As part of the programme, our proposal to relocate Barrow Upon Soar Post Office aims to help safeguard post office services in the local community for the longer term and provide an improved and more modern service.”
Since then, Barrow has had on/off post office services. On the 23rd May 2017, the Post Office closed at the Paper Shop, then after a petition, reopened on 5th July 2017. However, the Post Office closed permanently at The Paper Shop on 20th August 2018. After a gap of 18 months, a Post Office reopened at the Filling Station on 26th February 2020; this only lasted 18 months, and it closed on 13th August 2021.
Why is it that Barrow is so badly served by Post Office Ltd? During this same period, Sileby, Quorn and Mountsorrel have had continuous Post Office services, and have not been subjected to a “New Local Style Post Office” which has certainly not safeguarded Post Office services in our community, and has not provided an improved and more modern service for Barrow.
After contacting Jane Hunt, our MP, we have received the following statement from the Post Office: “As you’re aware, Barrow Upon Soar Post Office closed in August 2021 following the resignation of the postmaster and the premises being withdrawn from Post Office use. We understand how important Post Office services are to communities and I’m sincerely sorry to customers who may have to travel further to access our services, whilst the branch is closed."
"Unfortunately, we did not receive any interest in the opportunity to run Barrow Upon Soar Post Office, despite my colleagues visiting the area and discussing the opportunity with local retailers. Therefore, we are now considering alternative options to restore Post Office services and my colleague is exploring the possibility of introducing a mobile service to the community. The mobile provides a wide range of Post Office services from a purpose-built Post Office van, visiting communities on a part time basis. Discussions are still in the early stages, so I’m sure you’ll understand I’m unable to share further details at this stage."
"In the meantime, customers can continue to access Post Office services at an alternative branch, the nearest being Quorn Post Office (14 Station Road, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8BS) located less than a mile and half from Barrow Upon Soar."
"I hope you’re reassured of our commitment to reinstate Post Office services to the area and we will of course update local stakeholders and our customers, once we have a confirmed proposal.”
Is it any wonder that shopkeepers are not keen to have Post Office services in their premises, considering the Horizon scandal where hundreds of postmasters lost their livelihoods and even ended up in prison?
So, we may get a Post Office van on a part time basis, but no guarantee when this will happen. Post Office vans are designed to operate in small rural communities. Barrow upon Soar is hardly small. Surely, we deserve better? In the meantime, it is suggested we walk a three-mile round trip to Quorn, or perhaps catch one of the increasingly rare Kinch #2 buses to Quorn. There may be many in our community who rely heavily on Post Office services and who do not have their own transport and cannot walk this far.
One other option, not suggested by the Post Office is to have an Outreach Post Office in Barrow. These are operated by self-employed postmasters and are located in any available public building such as a village hall or library. Wymeswold has an Outreach Post Office in their Memorial Hall, which is open for a few hours each week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Keith Butler
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STOP PRESS!! STOP PRESS!! STOP PRESS!!
In response to the work Keith Butler has done and the people who have signed the petition, the Barrow Voice are able to report a positive statement from Paul Scully, MP Minister for Small Business, Consumers & Labour Markets and Minister for London:
"I am pleased to report that Post Office is planning to introduce a temporary mobile service, while they continue to look for a more permanent solution for the area. The mobile service will provide a two-hour session once a week (day to be confirmed) from the Three Crowns, 2-6 Cotes Rd, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8JS. Post Office aims to commence the service in April 2022."
It has now been confirmed that the mobile service will commence Thursday 21st April from 9:30am to 11:30am, and weekly thereafter.