By Isle of Wight Observer
A campaign has been launched to save Rookley Post Office from closure, following news that the current post mistress is due to retire imminently.
Cllr Caroline Gladwin, newly elected member for Central Rural, which includes Rookley, has launched a petition calling on Post Office bosses to urgently find a replacement and keep the branch open – or reopen it if it closes as planned next Friday (June 13). She says residents from across the Island have contacted her to raise concerns, describing the Post Office as a vital community asset.
The branch not only offers postal and banking services but also houses a shop selling cards, stationery and wrapping paper. It is also regularly used by the police to meet with the public and has a community notice board and a box for leaving messages. Its large customer car park makes it particularly accessible – a feature not available at other nearby branches. It is also a local outlet for the IW Observer.
Cllr Gladwin said: “There is a lot of upset about the Rookley Post Office being closed at short notice and I have been asked to do what I can to save it. Local people rely on this service as their ‘lifeline’ and I am concerned that the elderly and small businesses will struggle without it.”
She added that many residents from neighbouring villages, including Godshill, use the Rookley branch due to its parking. The Post Office in Godshill has no parking and Rookley has no other banking or cash facilities.
Cllr Gladwin’s petition is available to sign on-line, and in person at The Chequers in Rookley and The Griffin in Godshill.
“I am concerned that this is yet another rural Post Office that will be lost to a small community if we don’t challenge the Post Office to reverse their decision,” she added.
