Villagers are being asked to put their money where their mouth is to keep their post office open after it shut suddenly six months ago.
Mayfield Post Office is set to reopen in the village’s High Street later this month thanks to a huge effort from a newly formed community group.
The Mayfield Community Benefit Society is now fundraising to cover the £35,000 costs of relocating it a few doors down in Handleys estate agents.
But the society says that even after that money is raised, it will need to raise £16,000 a year to help cover rent, business rates and staffing costs.
It is calling on villagers to buy shares in the society and set up regular payments.
The old post office shut in May after the homeware shop it was housed in, Rusdens, closed in January, and the new tenants of the unit in the High Street couldn’t make it work.
The branch is now due to open on 25 November, under the management of the old postmaster Jo Eates and her staffer Holly King.
Jo Eates said: “I am delighted that a group of villagers stepped forward to make the dream of re-opening the post office into a reality.
“The new community benefit society is the perfect way to structure the business and to ensure that this vital service remains in place for many years to come.
“I am really looking forward to resuming my role as Postmaster and working with Holly to welcome all our lovely clients again very soon.”
Andrew Ratcliffe, Chairman of the Mayfield Community Benefit Society Ltd, said “When the post office closed in May it quickly became apparent that it would only be possible to reopen if the community rallied together to make it happen.
“Two high street businesses had unsuccessfully tried to run it in previous years as part of their existing businesses so it was clear a new approach was needed.
“A community benefit society was the obvious solution and since June I’ve been privileged to lead a group of six local volunteers, each with unique talents and expertise, to plan, set up and launch this exciting new venture, including Jo who will be our postmaster.
“It really is a good news story of how a village can come together to safeguard its future.”
A fundraising brochure has been produced and is available to collect from a number of Mayfield High Street businesses such as The House Café and Sew Inspired, which clearly explains the share offer and how the community benefit society is to work.
Shares cost just £1 each, with a minimum holding of 10 shares, although the society will be run on the democratic basis of one member, one vote, regardless of shareholding size.
At the 2021 census, the parish of Mayfield and Five Ashes had a population of 3,701 people, living in 1,571 households.
