We've consistently highlighted the important linkages between post offices and the survival of accompanying village shops. Post offices combined with village shops provide important services for local communities, particularly for vulnerable groups who are more reliant on them for their needs.

Research has shown that where a post office is closed, an attached village shop struggles to survive and is often forced to close as well. The post office acts as a draw for customers, generates footfall and sustains the village shop business.

Some councils have developed initiatives to help support village shops and post offices, and to retain services:

• Devon County Council's grant programme supports the retention of post office services where they are located with the sole remaining village shop. Find out more

• Essex County Council have allocated £1.5 million, over a 3-year period, to help the retention of a number of post offices out of the 32 earmarked for closure. Find out more

• Shropshire County Council has made £20,000 available to the 23 businesses subject to post office closures. These businesses are eligible for a grant of up to £1,500 to invest and to help retain the remaining shop. Find out more

• South Shropshire District Council has made £25,000 available for a Village Shops Grants Scheme whether they have a post office or not. Find out more

• Stroud Town Council has injected £35,000 for a two-year period to help save a local post office that had been identified for closure. Find out more

Several other councils are considering initiatives to save their local post offices. To help, the LGA and Post Office Ltd have issued a guide for local councils who want to provide local funding to Post Offices.