Ex-postmaster retrains as driving teacher

A Shropshire subpostmaster is having to retrain as a driving instructor in a bid to keep his shop open and ensure he keeps up with mortgage payments because his post office is closing.

Clive Gant has taken the steps because he says that the income from his shop in Montford Bridge, near Shrewsbury, will not be enough when the post office branch he runs closes.

Montford Bridge Post Office is due to close on February 12 and be replaced by an outreach service.

However, that service has been delayed and Mr Gant, 41, has agreed to keep the post office open for 12 hours a week until it is introduced.

But he said once it goes he will need another income and, in the meantime, has been training to become a driving instructor.

The father-of-two said: "We retain a little bit of income because of the outreach service we're putting in here until the full outreach service comes but it's not enough to pay the mortgage.

"I'm having to retrain as a driving instructor and in about March hopefully I will pass my test and the income from that will help to keep the shop open and keep the house.

"We will also get a package from the Post Office which will tide us over for a little while but I need to get going with the driving school.

"Shop situations are worrying anyway and with the loss of the post office it compounds it, but I'm hopeful people will still support it."

Mr Gant and his wife Sam have been running the post office since taking it over six years ago. They said they were stunned when the Post Office announced last year that it would be one of 28 branches in Shropshire to close.

Hundreds of people signed a petition to the House of Commons calling for it to be kept open.