The much-valued Wooler Post Office has been saved and the flat above it will be turned into an affordable home to rent, thanks to a partnership scheme between The Glendale Gateway Trust and Northumberland County Council.  

 

Northumberland County Council has awarded the Glendale Gateway Trust (GGT) £100k through its Community Led Housing Fund, and £50k was awarded from a S106 housing developer fund to enable the Trust to purchase the upstairs flat above the Post Office and convert it into an affordable home to rent. 

  

Funding has also been sought separately to enable GGT to purchase the Post Office element of the building so that it can remain open for the town. It's thanks to generous members of the local community, Barmoor Windfarm and, Wooler Parish Council that the purchase of the whole building could go ahead.   

 

The new postmasters opened the door to the Post Office in mid-April and since that time have regularly served between 600-800 customers each week demonstrating how valuable this local service is to the Glendale community. 

 

Northumberland County Council ward member Mark Mather set the ball rolling to create this community led scheme and reached out to local postmasters Shi Shi and Ally to see if they would be interested in joining the venture. He said: 

  

“This is an innovative and important scheme that is benefiting the wider rural community as well as providing the opportunity to purchase additional residential accommodation which is vital to help meet the growing local need for affordable rental accommodation.” 

 

“I’d like to thank the officers and Trustees at Glendale Gateway Trust who did so much behind the scenes to make this happen for our community.” 

 

Karen Froggatt, CEO of Glendale Gateway Trust said:  

 

“The current Postmaster in Wooler intended to retire in September 2024 and his property which includes the Post Office shop and upstairs residential accommodation was on the market with an Estate Agent.   

  

“Following a community meeting in August last year, GGT was tasked with trying to save the Post Office. 

  

“The closure of the Post office would have had a really detrimental effect on the Glendale community and local businesses who rely on the services the Post Office provides. The nearest bank is in either Berwick or Alnwick and with an ageing demographic many people rely on the services of the Post office for many aspects of their daily lives. The mobile bank was withdrawn several months ago resulting in further reliance on the Post Office for banking facilities.  

 

“This is a great example of different strands of the community coming together to work in partnership. We are delighted that the funding has been secured which will protect this vital local service.  

 

The residential accommodation above the Post Office is accessed via a private entrance door on the High Street and has level access at the rear of the property along with a large garden. Renovations are due to be carried out over the coming months. 

 

Northumberland County Councillor, Cabinet Member for Housing Colin Horncastle said: 

 

“The provision of more affordable housing, in areas of need, continues to be one of the county council's top priorities and we are working extremely hard and investing heavily to address the issue. 

  

“In 2021 we provided eleven affordable homes to rent on the new Kingsmeade Estate in Wooler and have also previously helped to provide affordable housing in the old Barclays Bank building on the Wooler High Street. This latest scheme will convert an existing old building into a safe, comfortable and affordable home for a local family in housing need.”