Helmsley: grant to set up permanent post office approved

At their meeting earlier this week, Helmsley Town Council agreed to a proposal made by North Yorkshire Councillor George Jabbour to offer up to £10,000 to any local organisation that would take on the long-term running of the Post Office in Helmsley.

Half of the total amount would be provided by the town council, while the other half would be allocated using the North Yorkshire Council locality budget for the Helmsley and Sinnington division.

For a local business, organisation or community group to be eligible to receive the grant, they have to complete an application to the Post Office to set up and run a full-time permanent postal service in Helmsley. Also, the Post Office must accept their application before 30 November 2023.

As reported by the Gazette & Herald, a temporary post office has been set up in the Black Swan Hotel.

Helmsley’s postal service first came to an end when the office’s host store Costcutter closed last August (2022) without notice. A Post Office mobile van operated temporarily in the town last autumn but this later came to an end in November 2022. 

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During the meeting, the town council’s chair, Val Arnold, gave thanks thanks to the Black Swan Hotel for hosting the temporary part-time Post Office at their premises in Helmsley.

Helmsley’s North Yorkshire Councillor George Jabbour said: “Following discussions over the past couple of months about this proposal, I am really pleased that it has been approved.

“In addition to the regular fees generated from offering Post Office services, I hope that this new grant will provide the incentive needed for a local business, organisation or community group to step forward.

“As it has been over a year since the sudden closure of Helmsley’s full-time Post Office, I too would like to reiterate the community’s thanks to the Black Swan Hotel and to Post Office managers for ensuring that our residents and businesses are able to use a temporary service until a permanent solution is implemented.”