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This is because each visit to a neighbourhood branch leads to other trips to cafes, shops, restaurants and other businesses. The survey of consumers and small businesses, commissioned by the Post Office, found 82 percent of people describe their local post office as an essential service in their community.

And the younger generation value it just as much, found research agency Public First.

A post office was the top choice for shoppers when asked what their ideal high street would look like – ahead of a GP surgery and a supermarket.

And 43 percent of small businesses say they rely on their post office to keep functioning. However, many branches have closed in recent years with rural areas affected the most.

Last year MPs were warned that the network was close to collapse.

The loss of services would be “catastrophic” for communities, warns the National Federation of SubPostmasters.

Next year, the taxpayerfunded subsidy of the network comes to an end. And while there are still 11,500 branches across the UK, more than a thousand have recently closed, with fears that as many as 2,500 could shut in 2020/21.

Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: “Local post offices are a lifeline for communities across the UK.

“The footfall we generate could make a big difference to sustaining high streets over the long term and helping small businesses start and grow, contributing to economic recovery.”

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