When Goldthorpe Post Office closed because staff were self-isolating, John took concerns the Dearne was becoming a post office desert to the top of the national Post Office organisation.
Thurnscoe East Post Office on Lidget Lane is closed and the other post office in Thurnscoe has been closed recently and is now only open in the mornings.
Bolton-on-Dearne Post Office is open for two mornings a week.
John said: “I discussed the steps needed to reopen Goldthorpe PO with three senior managers, as well as what needs to be done to help fill the gaps in local services during the Coronavirus crisis – suggesting they introduce more mobile and pop-up POs in nearby shops where a PO can’t stay open, because staff are ill or self-isolating.
“I also pressed PO to get more health safety screens and protective equipment for staff.
“I talked regularly to the Goldthorpe postmaster, backing him in dealings with Post Office nationally and encouraging him to get the PO cash machine back in service as well as safety measures to give staff confidence to continue working so he could reopen as soon as possible.
“I also discussed my concerns about Thurnscoe with the national PO network managers and – after a period when both POs in the village were closed – I’m delighted the postmaster has found a way of reopening one branch in Thurnscoe.”
