Members of the Sub-postmasters' Trading Club (STC) can be armed with the tools they need to fight back against the multiples for a membership fee of only 50p a week, said their national federation general secretary Colin Baker. The trading club, set up by P&H, the Post Office Network and the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, was launched at P&H's Pro-retail show in Telford. Speaking at the launch Baker said: "This is about encouraging sub-postmasters to focus on increasing the value of their outlets per square foot. They can retain their independence but become part of something bigger." Without proper support, "the days of rural post offices are numbered," said Baker. Under the new scheme, members will benefit from better buying terms from P&H, business advice and training, special deals on EPoS systems and free membership of the ACE third party drop shipment scheme. P&H independent sales director Bill Ellis said: "The STC will give sub-postmasters the means to offer consumers the prices and standards they have become used to in larger shops." {{NEWS }}