Gordon helps village post office
Gordon Henderson has given his support to a campaign to safeguard the future of the village shop and post office in Iwade.
The shop is under threat from new legislation that is to be introduced later this year which is designed to ensure that disabled people have easy access to all public buildings.
Gordon explained:
‘I support any moves that will help disabled people lead a more fulfilled life, however, this legislation does mean that some small businesses, such as the Iwade village shop, could be under threat.
‘Although some small shops will be exempt from the new rules, where the cost of converting the premises either is too expensive, or, impracticable, this will not apply to Iwade village shop, because it is run as a sub-post office also.
‘Hitesh and Rashmika Patel, who own the shop, have applied to The Countryside Agency for a grant to carry out the work necessary to meet Post Office standards. Unfortunately, The Agency has turned down the Patels’ application on the grounds that they did not submit sufficient evidence to show that the post office was important to the community.
‘A lot of people in the village, including the parish council and local councillors, have rallied round and written to the Countryside Agency highlighting the importance of the post office to the village.
‘I have written also urging the Agency to reconsider this application and have explained how important the Patels’ shop is to the village. I am fearful that if this grant is not given the Patels will be unable to refurbish the post office to a sufficiently high standard and will eventually be forced to close.’
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