Efforts to restore a “much-needed” Post Office to Haxby are taking a step forward, with Haxby Town Council being asked to help fund a new temporary counter service.
The original Post Office closed in May when the Morrisons Daily store that hosted it shut down permanently. Since then, local Liberal Democrat councillors have been working to bring the service back, launching a petition that gathered over 1,000 signatures.
The proposal, put forward by Lib Dem councillors, would see a temporary Post Office set up at Oaken Grove Community Centre, located at the heart of the village.
The trial service would run for up to six months, and has been developed in partnership with Post Office Ltd and the Haxby and Wigginton Youth and Community Association.
Oaken Grove Community Centre received significant investment under the last Lib Dem administration of City of York Council, and now houses the Haxby and Wigginton Library.
The centre also hosts several other community services, such as a cafe and part time banking service, following the closure of the last bank in Haxby in October 2022.
Despite much community support for the Post Office’s return, efforts to find a permanent location have been slowed by the lack of available space. This highlighted the need for a temporary solution.
To help fund the proposed temporary service, the Liberal Democrat ward councillors are committing £1,100 from their ward funding and are asking Haxby Town Council to contribute the remaining costs.
A formal decision on the proposal is expected at the Haxby Town Council meeting on 4 August.
If approved, preparations could begin immediately, with Post Office services potentially returning to the village within a month.