A Post Office has been saved from closure after owners of a nearby shop stepped in at the eleventh hour.
Marian Square Post Office closed temporarily in December 2020 after its operator resigned.
The mail centre was housed within a McColl’s store, which ceased trading during the pandemic.
McColl’s said it was a “difficult decision” to close the store, and that it is “delighted” the Post Office has been saved.
Card and gift shop Cardarama, which has been trading in Marian Square in Bootle for 14 years, has now stepped in to save the Post Office, by taking over the double unit, meaning they can offer a wide range of services to customers.
Owner Ian Coughlin told the ECHO : “When we heard about the Post Office closing we, like many others, were devastated.
“It’s the hub of the community and we knew we had to do something to save this local asset.”
Cardarama will house the Post Office, as well as selling newspapers and confectionery, and other essential services such as Paypoint.
The store also wants to offer local schools surplus paper for art projects, as part of an ongoing bid to be more environmentally friendly.
Ian continued: “We’re delighted to have been able to offer all McColl's staff a position within the new shop.
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“With many businesses on the high street closing we are proud to be able to celebrate some good news for a change.”
David Hunt, Post Office Network Provision Lead, echoed this, saying: “We are delighted to have restored a Post Office to Bootle as we know how important Post Office services are to a community.”
The Post Office and Cardarama will officially be opened by MP Peter Dowd and Sefton’s cabinet member for regeneration and skills, Cllr Marion Atkinson, this Friday.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there too, with families invited to go down on the day.
Ian added: “We’d love to see as many people as possible on the day but please be mindful of social distancing measures, and respectful of one another.”
