The Heart of Moor Row: A Look Back at the Village Post Office

For over 140 years, the Moor Row Post Office was the pulse of the community. Established during the iron ore mining boom of the Victorian era, it stood as a testament to the village's industrial heritage and social cohesion until its final days in 2008.

Origins and the First Postmaster

Moor Row was born between 1855 and 1860. As the population of miners and railway workers surged, the General Post Office (GPO) established a sub-branch in the 1860s. Because the mail arrived via the Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont Railway, the roles of communication and transportation were initially linked.

  • First Recorded Postmaster: Andrew Thompson (c. 1871), who also served as the Station Master.
  • The First Resident Postmaster: George W.W. Honey (c. 1881), who operated the office as a dedicated resident premises.

The Iconic Location

The office was famously situated at 1 Church Street, anchoring the corner where Church Street meets Dalzell Street. This building served as both the village shop and the postal counter, making it the primary gathering point for residents for over a century.

The Booth Era (c. 1955 – 1990s)

The most enduring legacy of the office belongs to Nancy and Bob Booth. For nearly 40 years, Nancy served as the Postmistress while Bob managed the general store. The Booths were more than shopkeepers; they were community advocates. Bob was well-known for "chasing the council" to ensure village upkeep, while Nancy provided a steady, friendly presence at the counter. Their residency turned the shop into a "village living room" where every neighbor was known by name.

The Final Chapter: Following the Booths' retirement, the office was eventually taken over by Sue and Trevor Thompson in the early 2000s. They were the final custodians of the branch during its closure.

The 2008 Closure

Despite local outcry, the Moor Row Post Office closed permanently in early August 2008. The closure was part of the national "Network Change" programme. By August 20th, the iconic post box - once built into the wall of the shop - was bricked up, marking the end of an era for the corner of Church and Dalzell Street.

Lulabelles Beauty Room

Following the bittersweet closure of the Post Office in 2008, the historic corner of Church and Dalzell Street found a new lease on life.

The building was transformed into Lulabelles Beauty Room, a local salon that kept the commercial spirit of the corner alive. Where residents once queued for stamps and pensions, they now visited for a moment of relaxation and self-care. For over a decade, Lulabelles served as a contemporary successor to the Booths' legacy, maintaining the building as a space where villagers could meet and catch up.

The Latest Chapter

In late 2025, a planning application was submitted to Cumberland Council to officially convert the ground floor - most recently occupied by Lulabelles Beauty Room - into a residential flat.

​This change of use represents the final 'quieting' of the corner of Church and Dalzell Street.

For over 150 years, this doorway was a place of public arrival: first for the railway workers of the 1860s, then for generations of villagers visiting the Booths' Post Office, and finally for those seeking the modern services of a salon.

By transitioning into a private dwelling, the building follows a common trend in West Cumbrian villages, where historic retail spaces are preserved through conversion into much-needed housing. While the iconic storefront may change, the building remains a permanent fixture of the village's skyline, continuing its long story as a residential home.

Postmaster Succession

Period Occupant / Business Context
1870s Andrew Thompson First recorded Postmaster and Station Master during the industrial boom.
1880s George W.W. Honey First dedicated resident Postmaster living at the corner premises.
1955-92 Nancy & Bob Booth The defining "Golden Era" hub for the village for nearly 40 years.
2002-08 Sue & Trevor Thompson The final Postmasters who fought the nationwide 2008 closures.
Post-2008 Lulabelles Beauty Room Commercial use as a beauty salon following the loss of postal services.
Present Residential Conversion Converted into a flat, ending over 150 years of commercial activity.
Moor Row Post Office
Moor Row Post Office Illustration
Location: Moor Row CA24, UK

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