We wish to set up a postal point in our community shop, which will open in March 2009. Where can we find more detailed information about the correct weighing scales, postal services etc? I know that Brockweir are running a scheme successfully, but I cannot spare the time to visit that shop as it is about three hours' drive each way. They manage to send recorded delivery etc. and that is what we wish to do. Is it in conjunction with the PO in any way, as we have been advised by the PO that we are legally restricted in what we can offer?

In small coastal village on the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall we have a small post office which sells a few stationery items, cards and charity goods but is generally run down. The present owner and postmistress is past retirement age and wants to sell as soon as possible and there are no potential purchasers. The post office has survived the recent round of closures but if no-one is prepared to take on the building and run it as a post office, it will undoubtedly close and will be lost to the community. To continue its operation one would need £80 to £90k to purchase and perhaps a further £30k for renovations/ working capital. The village, typically, has more than its fair share of second homes and retired residents but were wondering whether sufficient interest and commitment exists to take forward the project as a community enterprise. We were thinking on the lines of a charitable trust with a management committee employing one or more part time workers and the community being share holders in the enterprise. There are limited commercial opportunities as we have a village shop, two gift shops and several food outlets. We have a community website at www.coverack.org.uk and you can see the post office and other shops at http://www.coverack.org.uk/pages/shops.html Could you comment on whether you think this might be a reasonable approach and whether we might be eligible for grant support? Depending on what you think, we would do some preliminary consultations as to what response we receive. The suggestion will be considered by the Parish Council on Thursday Look forward to your comments. With thanks and best wishes,

Coverack is a small village on The Lizard Peninsula. Our PO has been reprieved from closure but the owner is beyond retirement age and is giving up, The PO is up for sale but no takers. What are the precedents for setting up a charitable trust with village members as stakeholders to purchase and manage. PO is up for sale for £80k and we would need working capital and grants if possible. There is not much scope for additional income as building is quite small and a few gift, charity and stationery items now sold

Our Post Office was not on the recent list of Dorset closures, and in theory can now continue as before alongside the village shop, subject to any disturbance(hopefully unlikely)during the consultation period. However, we were not entirely surprised to find, now that we can discuss with the shop-owner/sub-postmaster, that the shop has been over-dependent on the PO for several years and is in need both of capital investment and of some marketing advice to improve trade. It certainly would not survive if our PO were to be culled in a few years' time. Can you please advise on;- 1) Sources of marketing advice plus funding available to contribute to its costs? 2) Sources of investment/loan capital via Triodos Bank and similar that the community could support at arms length?

POST OFFICE OUTREACH The 4 different Outreach models being put forward by Post Office Limited are still under trial according to a recent press release 'Post Office Ltd to trial further ways to provide sustainable services 09/04/2008'. Is there any published information about the viability and sustainability of these proposals? I have found a Postwatch survey, but that only looked at customer satisfaction (in a tiny sample). I can not find any study or report that examines how, when, why, where and for how much POL recommends Outreach - either as a 'business as usual' replacement in a pre-existing post office or in a new location. Clearly, unless they are funded and viable, a community that finds itself with one of these may discover that their postal services rely on voluntary labour or cease to exist at all. For all that is published about Network Change, there is scant practical detail on these alternatives. Is there any information? Thank you

Hello, I asked about Post Office Outreach services and their financial viability. Any thoughts? I would be grateful for acknowledgment or if no one knows the answer..... Thanks! Naomi

Hi, Are you aware of any online forums who's focus is on the post office closure initiative ? Many Thanks

Hi, the post office consultation phase in my area is now closed and we have been told which post offices are ear marked for closure. Ive heard other areas have gained significant support from their local councils who are considering supporting individual post offices. Could you explain how I could best go about engaging the council on behalf of my community and also point me to some councils who are already actively involved with this process?