A VIABLE and sustainable lifeline has been thrown to post offices in Devon which are facing the threat of closure.
Devon County Council has stepped in to offer aid to 12 communities across the county where the long term viability of the only shop in the village had been thrown into doubt as a result of losing a direct link to Post Office Ltd.
In a statement, the county council said: 'Post Office Ltd has, in some cases, agreed to "partnered" services with shop owners, allowing post office counters to remain in some village shops.
'Under those agreements, shop owners will lose the financial benefits that they have previously received from Post Office Ltd, so Devon County Council has identified within its short term support strategy, specific financial help for them.'
A partnered service with the Post Office would disadvantage shop owners as they will no longer receive a salary directly from Post Office Ltd and the remuneration for still providing the service is minimal.
Losing this support, which supplements the retail side of the business, has put the future of some shops at risks.
However, the county council is offering the shops it has identified, grants of up to £5,000 a year for up to three years, alongside free business advice.
The aim is, by supporting the shops for three years, to allow them to become sustainable in the long term.
Shop owners have already expressed a keen interest in the county council's plans and among those who stand to benefit are the post offices in Bridestowe, Ashwater and Chillaton.
Steve Haigh, who owns the shop in Chillaton, said: 'This grant will tip the balance between this shop continuing to stay in business, and it folding.
'Removing the post office services effectively takes away about half of our business.
'Although we would have had to carry on as best we can, this grant makes the prospect a much more viable option.'
County councillor for both the Bridestowe and Chillaton area, Christine Marsh, said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled that both shops are getting this opportunity.
'Let's hope it gives them the breathing space to find innovative ways of continuing to provide services for their villages.
'I'm very pleased that the county council is supporting the rural areas of their county.'
Brian Berman, the county council's executive member for communities, added: 'For many small communities the local shop is the hub of the village, providing far more than just basic groceries.
'Lifelines like these can make all the difference to older people, people without their own transport or where public transport is limited.
'That is why, having tried our hardest to get the best outcomes for communities from Post Office Ltd, we now want to support these village shops to help them continue running post office services for their communities.'