Pop up Post Office to open in pub’s car park

RESIDENTS in Kegworth will be able to send off their Christmas gifts at the village’s new Post Office, set up in a pub car park.

The pop-up facility will be installed at The Red Lion, in High Street, a year after the village’s Post Office closed.

It will offer all the regular services of a branch with the exception of car tax renewal.

Red Lion landlady Vanessa Gage said: “We were delighted when the parish council approached us and asked if we could help out.

“Many villagers have found it difficult to travel to larger towns and villages to access Post Office services, particularly during lockdown.

“We are a community pub and we are so pleased to be able to support the village in this way.”

The nearest Post Offices are in Castle Donington, Sutton Bonington, Hathern and Shepshed.

The pop-up facility at the free house pub will open on Saturday, December 12, and will be open every Saturday from 10am to noon.

Ms Gage said she hoped that if the Post Office proved popular, they may be able to extend the opening hours.

Also taking place on December 12 is The Red Lion’s Artisan Christmas Market, in the beer garden, which will include four socially-distanced stalls selling pies from Melton, homemade cakes from Ashby, and cheese and dairy produce.

Santa and one of his elves will also be going round to meet families.

The landlady said: “Even though we’re not able to open the pub at the moment due to Government restrictions, we hope people will still come and see what’s on offer.

“After all the hardship over the last few months, we’re really hoping to revive the much-missed community spirit in time for Christmas.”

Ms Gage has been landlady at the pub for just over a year but has worked there for four years.

All of her staff are currently on furlough while the pub is closed.