1. As a volunteer from the outset of this project, I think my ?inside? conclusion can warrant being expressed to the public. The PO and shop is open for six hours a week in the village hall, and sometimes there is difficulty in finding enough volunteers for that time. As the new shop wants to stay open for 12 hours a day, even with a manager, I can foresee great difficulties in manning it for all this time.
2. As more pensions are being paid into the banks, the need for a Post Office is dying. This is what has drawn people into the shop.
3. A few years ago when the Post Office and shop in Exbourne were a thriving business, the husband of the post mistress had to get a job to make ends meet.
4. There are two shoppers? busses to Okehampton every week, and Waitrose and Somerfield deliver groceries to the village. So people are only going to use the proposed facility for bare needs. We are too near Okehampton and Hatherleigh for this to work for very long. Then what do you do with the underground building?
Margaret R Weeks, Courtlyns, Exbourne