Somerset Town Campaigns to Restore Post Office Three Years After Closure

Residents of Somerton, a town in Somerset, are united in a determined campaign to reopen their local Post Office, which was permanently closed three years ago. The closure in 2022 left a community of over 6,000 people without crucial services such as banking, bill payments, postal deliveries, passport checks, and vehicle tax processing.

In just two weeks, over 800 locals have signed a petition supporting the reopening of a new Post Office counter within Somerton Stores. This effort has gained the endorsement of Sarah Dyke, the area’s Member of Parliament, who is actively advocating for the return of these essential services.

Sarah Dyke emphasized the challenge residents face: “With the nearest Post Offices now located more than three miles away in Compton Dundon and Long Sutton, many struggle to access these services, especially given the region’s limited public transport options.” She also highlighted the impact on local businesses and the community’s loss of a key social hub.

The owners of Somerton Stores, Mr and Mrs Thievendran, have been overwhelmed with customer inquiries about reinstating Post Office services since taking over the business last year. Mrs. Thievendran noted, “Many customers have expressed how difficult it is to reach the nearest Post Offices without transport. There’s a strong demand for these services to return to Somerton.”

However, a major hurdle remains: the couple has been informed they would need to personally cover the estimated £20,000 setup costs to establish the new service.

As chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Services, Sarah Dyke is committed to supporting rural communities like Somerton. She plans to present the petition to Parliament and engage with Post Office executives and regional authorities to find solutions that will enable reopening the counter at Somerton Stores and similar rural locations across her constituency.