RORY CELEBRATES ​HISTORIC ​BRAMPTON REGENERATION

Rory Stewart MP has visited the newly re-opened Post Office, and the new branch of local butcher and grocery store Cranstons, in Brampton in his constituency, celebrating “the exciting regeneration of one of this constituency’s finest historic market ​towns”.

Together with local councillor Mike Mitchelson, Rory tour began at the modernised post office branch on Front Street, which had closed for two weeks on New Year’s Eve to undergo the transformation as part of a modernisation programme by the Post Office. He met and chatted with staff, admiring the new open-plan layout, three counter positions, two secure positions and a combi-counter with the Post Office terminal next to the retail till. It is also extending its opening hours, including on a Saturday when it will close at 5.30pm instead of 12.30pm.

Rory said: “The new Post Office is a fantastic new environment for the people of Brampton, and all the surrounding villages it caters to, such as Hallbankgate, Low Row and Gilsland, which have recently lost their postal services. It shows just how vital these local services are, and it’s great to be celebrating the enhancement of an existing service rather than their​ erosion​.”​

Rory then visited the new Cranstons food shop, in the former HSBC Bank also on Front Street, where he met with Mark Mallinson, the manager, to discuss the local food business’s expansion into the town, and the producers it supports.

“I join Brampton in welcoming this new Cranstons store in the town, and think it does a brilliant job of supporting local communities by sourcing local produce, and of course in setting such a brilliant example in its training and employing of apprentices from the neighbouring area. I hope it will be very successful indeed, and look forward to visiting often.”