01/12/2025
MP PERFORMS OFFICIAL RE-OPENING OF BARROW’S OXFORD STREET POST OFFICE, AS SOLUTION FOUND TO RESTORE SERVICE
• Michelle Scrogham MP “cuts the ribbon”
• Postmaster with health issues finds way to restore service
• Appoints officer-in-charge to re-open for beloved customers
• Experienced person appointed to run the branch
Michelle Scrogham MP for Barrow and Furness, “cut the ribbon” (28/11) to mark the official re-opening of Oxford Street Post Office at its existing location after a six-month gap.
Oxford Street Postmistress, Linda Lawrence, had health issues as a result of Covid. It sadly led her to having to close her shop and she was heart-broken as she felt that she was letting down her loyal customers.
Linda, who has run this branch for 14 years, had hoped to sell the business. However, this did not come to fruition. Now Linda has come up with a different solution to restore service to the community by appointing an officer-in-charge and serving the customers, whilst she remains Postmistress at the branch at 46 Oxford Street, Barrow-in-Furness.
Daniel Cooper has been appointed. He and his family already run Lakes Parade Post Office, in Barrow-in-Furness, so he is highly experienced, plus there is also one member of staff who has also been busy getting the retail side ready with cards, stationery and packaging.
Linda knows the Cooper family through local church connections, and knows them to be honest and trustworthy, giving her the peace of mind to be able to re-open the branch. Daniel’s Dad is a local Baptist Minister.
Michelle Scrogham MP, said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved for finding a solution to reopen the branch which is so important to the local community. I know that a lot of work has gone into this, and I am really pleased that the branch has been able to open before the busy Christmas period.”
Postmistress Linda Lawrence said: “I had been in good health until I got Covid in 2022 and I thought that I have got to listen to my body.
“It broke my heart having to close for all of my customers, but, especially for my elderly customers as it’s not just about the products and services that I sell, but the social purpose of a Post Office. I would often hear from customers that I was the only person that they had seen all week, and I would look out for my customers. If I hadn’t seen someone for a while I’d check on their wellbeing.
“I felt awful that the branch was closed for six months. I had hoped to sell the branch, but it fell through. I am very grateful to Daniel for taking on the officer-in-charge role. I will take a back seat role, but I will pop in to see customers every now and then.”
The opening hours are Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 6pm; Saturday: 9am – 2pm.
Office-in-charge, Daniel Cooper, said: “Linda is a very kind-hearted person who really cares about her community. I’m glad that I have been able to re-open this much-needed busy branch and I’m looking forward to serving all of her customers.”
Post Office Area Change Manager said: “We know how important a Post Office is to a community, but we also have to look out for the well-being of the people who run our branches. We recognise that sometimes someone’s health changes and it is no longer possible for them to do the job, even when it is a job that they love doing serving their community. We are really pleased with the wonderful solution with Daniel Cooper being appointed as officer in charge, which has allowed the branch to re-open.”
- - -
Photo Credit: Post Office Ltd
Official press release issued by:
Post Office Press Office
100 Wood Street
LONDON, EC2V 7ER
Tel: 07436 038445 or 020 7012 3456 (24 hours),
Email: [email protected] www.postoffice.co.uk
Date of publication: 28 November 2025
- - -
Editors note:
This is a repost of an article originally published on 30 November 2025 at 11:15am.
The original post included some information that was incorrectly published and has since been removed from the public page.
We appreciate everyone who took the time to like and share the post. Our special heartfelt thanks go to those who left comments with kind messages and well wishes for both Linda & Daniel.
