Ann ceased trading on May 17th so the PO Counter and Shop are now temporarily closed. Since then Friends of Silverdale Community Post Office (FOSCPO) have worked to clear the shop of all the fixtures and fittings that it wanted to purchase from Ann, as well as her remaining stock. This is now all in safe storage. Because FOSCPO’s local fundraising has been successful so far, with over £18,000 raised, it was able to pay Ann an agreed fair price. Local people also donated to give Ann a very decent “Goodbye and Thank You” gift.

FOSCPO’s application to The Post Office Ltd for a licence to re-open the PO Counter is making progress and it has applied to the Financial Conduct Authority for registration as a Community Benefit Society in order to be able to resume trading.

FOSCPO now has over 170 members. If you’re keen to help in any way please do let us know at foscpo@outlook.com. Our small committee will not be enough to make this project work successfully for the village, so please give this request some thought.

Source: Friends of Silverdale Community Post Office, https://foscpo8.wordpress.com/