Paragraph 4 Scope of the Scheme
The Secretary of State may make a payment of subsidy under this Scheme in respect of the costs of establishing a sub-post office in a settlement if—
a sub-post office in that settlement has closed within the 18 months preceding the making of the application for the payment; or
it appears to her that a sub-post office in that settlement is likely to close within six months of the making of the application for the payment;
it appears to her that, but for the making of the payment, no replacement sub-post office will be established in that settlement;
she is satisfied that there is a suitable person willing to act as sub-post master in respect of the proposed sub-post office; and
the settlement has a population of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
The Secretary of State may make a payment of subsidy under this Scheme in respect of the costs of securing the continued operation of a sub-post office in a settlement if—
it appears to her that, but for the making of the payment, it is likely that the sub-post office will close within six months of the making of the application for the payment;
she is satisfied that there is a suitable person willing to act as sub-post master in respect of the sub-post office; and
the settlement has a population of fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.
A payment of subsidy may be made to the person who owns or occupies, or who will own or occupy, the sub-post office which is the subject of the application for subsidy or to the sub-post master or the prospective sub-post master of that sub-post office.