BOSSES behind a village post office – which has been on the market for 18 months - have submitted plans to convert the business into residential use following a lack of interest from buyers.

Janet and Lloyd Willis ran Greenodd Post Office for 18 years before deciding to sell the business in 2020 so the pair could retire.

A year and a half on, the village post office has received ‘no interest’ from prospective buyers, prompting the couple to apply to convert the retailer into a private dwelling.

The site stopped operating as a full-time post office in 2009, despite the community rallying to try and save it.

It now operates as an outreach service and only has a post office counter three-and-a-half days a week.

The application, which was deemed ‘invalid’ by South Lakeland District Council after it was submitted last month, states the outreach service could be relocated elsewhere in the village if plans are approved to convert the property into a home.

It states: “The five-bedroom property and business have been on the market for 18 months with a business agent.

“There has been no interest at all in the business (evidence from Kings Business Agents can be provided).

“The business has been making a loss for several years (trading accounts can be provided).

“This is down to lack of custom brought about by online shopping and most groceries etc being available in other retail outlets in the village.

“The business and property have recently been marketed by a local agent JH Homes and there has only been interest as a private dwelling.

“The business hosts a Post Office Outreach Services on behalf of Ulverston Post Office which can be relocated elsewhere in the village.”

The nearest post offices outside of Greenodd are Ulverston and Backbarrow.

Speaking in February last year, Mrs Willis said the pair have ‘loved’ the past two decades but feel ready to enjoy their retirement.

“We’ve loved it," said Mrs Willis.

"When you first come to somewhere different, you couldn't have a better way of integrating into the community.

"We were really accepted by the community."

“It’s a lovely place to live to start with, it’s a beautiful part of the world.

“I’ve made lots of friends here. In some ways it’s sad because we’ve seen so many elderly residents pass on.

"You do get involved in the community and help them out with things, that I suppose you wouldn’t get the opportunity to do if you worked in a shop.”