Bath MP and Communities Minister Don Foster has launched a competition asking the public to suggest projects their local post office could run to benefit the community.
Working with local residents and community groups, sub-postmasters in England can now apply for up to £10k from the £200k community enterprise fund run by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Successful schemes must be innovative and support the local community or small businesses in the area, these could include mentoring for business start-ups, digital access and training, and display space for local producers.
Branches will suggest suitable projects, which must be not for profit but provide a service, activity or support that are easily accessible and open to all.
Launching the competition Communities Minister Don Foster said:
“Post offices, just like pubs and local shops, are often at the heart of communities and I want to give them an even bigger role in bringing people together.
“This competition will reward people and post office branches that work together to put forward great ideas for ways to benefit the local community.
“This project builds on the government’s community rights agenda, giving local communities the power to protect local assets and influence how local services are run”.
Members of the public who wish to suggest projects should speak to their local branch manager by Friday 18th October 2013.
Details of branches can be found at http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder