THE period of support currently given to rural post office shops will be extended for a further two years, if members of the Devon County Council's Cabinet agree to recommendations.

The council agreed to support 16 rural post office shops for a three-year period, to prevent those communities losing the only convenience shops they had.

Now in the third year, the council is considering extending support, offering the 16 shops a further grant and retail support worth £84,000 over two years.

The 16 include Ashwater, Bridestowe, Chillaton, Milton Abbot and Postbridge.

The businesses provide a Partner Outreach service to Post Office Limited (POL), and are the only remaining convenience shops in the 16 communities.  

POL closed 41 post offices outright across Devon and Torbay and replaced a further 37 with outreach services, as part of the change programme in 2008.

A task group, including the county council and other authorities, campaigned hard against the closures, and were in some cases able to improve the outcome in some communities.

The county council has since then also provided the 16 'partnered' shops with £5,000 per year and specialist consultancy support to help the businesses make best use of their assets and to improve their financial viability.

Without the council's financial support and advice, the 16 communities would more than likely have lost their only village shops.

If the proposals are supported next week, the shops will be offered a further £2,500 each in 2011/12 and £1,500 each in 2012/13, plus specialist retail advice from the Rural Shops Alliance for the two years.

Steve Haigh, owner of the Chillaton store, said: 'We are very grateful for the help and support from Devon County Council.  It has helped us keep going during this difficult period.'

Cllr Roger Croad, the council's cabinet member responsible for the post office support, said: 'We recognise what a valuable service these shops provide for their communities. This scheme was designed to last for three years but in these tough economic times we recognise how important it is for Devon County Council to continue to support these vital local businesses, albeit at a reduced level.  

'We hope this will enable them to consolidate their position in their communities and continue on the road to self-sufficiency.'

The cabinet was meeting to discuss the recommendation as the Times went to press.