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Help is needed to restore Post Office provision on the Isle of Wight.
That is the message from Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely and Island charity Community Action IW.
No replacement has yet been found for the main Newport Post Office, which closed last week when the Co-op which housed it closed its doors.
Wootton is also without a Post Office.
The MP and Community Action IW are urging local town and parish councils to help support struggling, or previously unsuccessful, rural services and have also called for a meeting with national Post Office CEO Nick Read to seek support for local services.
They have also asked Mr Read what support is available through new government funds for post office service sustainability, to support either Newport or rural services.
IRegarding rural services, they have also asked whether a mobile service could be an option for the Island in areas where the service is under threat.
They have asked town and parish councils to consider modest support for outreach services in villages.
Mr Seely said: “We need to take Island-wide action to ensure post office services are put on as sustainable a footing as possible, and that services remain convenient and available for as many people as possible, both in towns and in rural communities.”
Community Action IW is currently running Godshill Post Office and shop, and the outreach services at Totland, Whippingham and Brading through its trading arm, Island Community Ventures (ICV), at a loss, which puts the longevity of the services at risk.
It is felt new partnerships between Community Action IW and town and parish councils could be the solution.
Mike Bulpitt, of Community Action IW, said: “In recent years, several individuals have tried to provide services, but each time the business model has failed without the backing of a strong partnership.
“Community Action is keen to support communities with the delivery of post office services, but we cannot do it alone.
“We have recently put in place new arrangements with Godshill and Totland parish councils where they will financially support what we are already delivering.
He said the cost of ICV delivering rural services would be around £1,000 a year or £19.23 a session.
Mr Seely said: “I hope that, working together, we can find solutions that are sustainable and meet the needs of communities.
“I would urge town and parish councils to seriously consider supporting the work ICV is doing.
“I would like to thank the residents and councillors who have written to me on this issue. Please be assured that I am doing all I can but please, if anyone has any further ideas, do let me know.”
Mr Seely and Mr Bulpitt have also asked the Post Office if it can assist with making the delivery of outreach services as cost-efficient as possible, which would include equipment for outreach delivery, combining monitoring reports and Royal Mail / Post Office co-operation in Totland.
