Taunton butcher prepares to re-open local post office

Butcher Tim Pope and his wife Lin are preparing to re-open a local post office to the joy of the Bishop's Hull community.

The couple, having run their own butcher's business next door to the village shop and sub post office in Bishops Hull, Taunton, for 26 years decided to take action when their neighbour closed.

They bought the shop and the post office and plan to open them again at the beginning of the next month.

Tim Pope said: "There was a serious threat that there would be no shops at all left in the village of Bishops Hull. We kept things ticking over the best way we could whilst the post office was closed.

"We were selling bread, milk, papers, and general groceries. After just over two years we were able to purchase the building, it had been left empty all this time.

"In just eight weeks, with the help of family and friends, the shop and living accommodation were thoroughly cleaned and decorated. We will be operating a Post Office Local when fittings and training are completed."

The Popes were helped in their plans by the economic development team at Taunton Deane Borough Council and a £2,000 grant from the council's rural development fund.

Post Office services will be offered from a till at the retail counter and it will be open from 9am to 5.30pm every day apart from Sunday.

Customers will be able to get a wide range of Post Office products and services including mail, banking, automated bill payments, pre-ordered travel money and mobile top-ups.

Taunton Deane Borough ward councillors Justine Baker and Ian Morrell welcomed the news.