Furness Vale’s last shop to close

From August, the only amenities in the village will be two pubs, a Chinese restaurant, a chip shop and a community centre.

Postmasters Angie and Terry Bright confirmed they were retiring from running the Buxton Road facility, after five and half years.

Whaley Bridge Town Cllr Ray Wild said: “It will be a sad day. 35 years ago Furness Vale had 13 thriving shops, after July, there will be none.”

He explained that the couple had been trying sell the business for two years, but due to the vast amount of post offices for sale around the country, they had had little interest.

“It is so useful when you can walk to the post office and buy tea, sugar and milk at the same time,” Cllr Wild added. “The closure has come as a shock to the village because now people will have to travel either by car or public transport to Whaley Bridge, New Mills or Disley for post office facilities and local shopping.”

A spokesman from the Post Office said: “We have been looking for a new person to run the post office in Furness Vale but with no success so far. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the break in service. We would like to reassure customers that we are committed to maintaining services in the area.”

Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the post office and incorporating it into their business should ring 0845 266 8790 and talk to an advisor.