Petitions

Sarah Dyke Excerpts

Tuesday 15th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Dyke (Glastonbury and Somerton) (LD)]

I rise to present this petition about rural post offices in Glastonbury and Somerton, which have closed at an alarming rate over recent years. A separate similar petition from the owners of Somerton Stores, Mr and Mrs Thievendran, recently garnered 800 signatures within two weeks, highlighting the overwhelming support for a new post office in Somerton. However, prohibitive costs have prevented this so far.

The petition states:

“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to safeguard the future of post offices in rural areas.

And the petitioners remain, etc.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The petition of residents of the constituency of Glastonbury and Somerton,

Declares that rural post offices are under threat; further declares that the loss of Somerton’s dedicated post office in 2022, combined with the loss of a post office in Butleigh, Charlton Adam and Charlton Mackerell has been devastating for the local community; further notes the recent separate petition from the owners of Somerton stores, which garnered over 800 signatures within two weeks highlighting the overwhelming support for a new post office; further recognises the immense benefit that post offices and postmasters have on rural communities; further acknowledges the prohibitive costs many potential postmasters face when attempting to open a post office; further welcomes the forthcoming green paper but believes the Post Office must work with rural communities to ensure a sustainable future for all.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to safeguard the future of post offices in rural areas.

And the petitioners remain, etc.]

[P003093]