MP Opens Community-Run Post Office

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron today cut the ribbon at the official launch of the Storth Community Cooperative Post Office, which will be staffed entirely by volunteers.

Former Postmaster Rob Crompton has held the role for 10 years, but will now pass over to a team of 11 local volunteers who have been trained to run the Post Office.

The opening ceremony was attended by around 40 local residents, including the Post Office's oldest customer - 98-year-old local resident Bill Matthews.

The community shop, also staffed by volunteers, has been going for 12 years and in that time has given over £60,000 of its profits to village causes. The Post Office will now be an extension of this initiative.

Tim said: "This is a fantastic community initiative, which will help to ensure that a crucial service is retained for local people.

"I'd like to thank Rob Crompton for his dedication to the Post Office and to the community, as well as to all those dedicated volunteers who have looked after the shop and are now taking on the challenge of running the Post Office.

"This is an exciting new chapter for Storth Post Office, which is pioneering a model for other communities to follow. It is testament to the wonderful community spirit of the village that residents have grouped together to make this project a reality."

Rob Crompton, the former postmaster, said: "It's been a fun 10 years, and I look forward to another 10 years of keeping this Post Office going. It's a real hub of the village, and I am grateful for the loyal support of all our volunteers and customers."