Local shops and post offices crucial to the countryside, says Rural England

The report, published today, highlights that more than half of country residents are expecting to make less use of town centre shops than they did before the pandemic.

The report also noted that more than half had started using online shopping for the first time and that access to cash machines or banks was an increasing problem.

The report added: “Whilst the move to online services will be positive for those confident managing their money this way, the shift poses a threat to existing bank branches, ATMs and Post Offices, and could create an added barrier for those less equipped to access such online services.”

Rural England has recommended that key elements of rural infrastructure that should be protected include amending the Post Office banking framework and ATM interchange fee to make sure that services remain available.

Lord Ewen Cameron of Dillington, who chaired the launch event for the report, said: “It is clear that rural residents are continuing to face large barriers to key services and face an enhanced rural-urban divide.

“The gross imbalance in the funding per head of nearly all our rural services, despite the fact these services cost more to deliver, means that rural populations continue to be overlooked compared to urban areas.

“It is critical that the government does not ignore rural residents and businesses as the nation rebuilds from the pandemic.

“Those who find it more difficult to adapt to online services are at risk of further challenges in accessing already harder to reach services.

“This report launched today provides a vital on-going snapshot of how well rural services are being delivered, and what effect that delivery is having on the quality of life in our countryside.”