Church hall becomes new post office base

THE post office is back in business in Market Bosworth.

A counter service set up in St Peter’s parish hall on Park Street opened at the beginning of September and will now run on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm and on Thursdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm throughout the year.

Headed by sub postmaster Rob Aspinall, from Tamworth, the outreach service will offer all Royal Mail services plus mail order returns, passport forms, mobile phone top-ups, pensions and free cash withdrawals from all major banks.

It is the first time these services have been available in the town since its permanent post office closed in November 2015.

Dedicated electrical and phone services have been installed in the building and minor alterations made to the hall’s servery area to accommodate the necessary equipment.

The move has been facilitated by St Peter’s Church, which has changed group meeting schedules to accommodate the service at a reduced hourly rate.

Rev Mark Poskitt, priest in charge of Bosworth benefice, said: “I’m delighted to see post office services returning to Bosworth.

“In my experience the the post office has always been an essential part of the community.

“It not only provides an important service but a focal point in people’s lives as well.

“The fact that they are to use St Peter’s parish hall shows how two community organisations can work together for the benefit of all.

“I sincerely hope people will support this new endeavour.”

Mr Aspinall said that Market Bosworth community library and a town centre shop were also considered as potential post office bases but that the library was considered too far out of the town and the shop was not suitable.

St Peter’s Church council is considering selling refreshments in the hall during post office hours to encourage people to go along and stay for a chat.

Mr Aspinall said: “I am sure it will be a great benefit to Market Bosworth to have this (post office service).”

He said that by the end of his second day of serving he left with a bag full of mail and is hopeful that business will increase as Christmas approaches.

For more information call Mr Aspinall on 01827 62300.