15/05/2026
SHOP AND POST OFFICE UPDATE.
Hi All.
Let me start by saying, that I am very unhappy the way this information was released. I was not informed or given any prior warning that this was happening. It just appeared on Facebook and shared by a Southway Councillor. I had planned, in the next week or so, to release this information myself and explain what was happening with the shop, so there wasn’t mass speculation. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Also, I didn’t want my staff to find out the way they have. It was my responsibility to tell them when the time was right. It has caused them a lot of unnecessary worry. I will now try to explain what is happening to the shop and Post Office.
There comes a time in life when you have to think about retiring. At the age of 66 that time has come for me. I have worked extremely hard over my life and it’s time for me to take a step back and try to enjoy the rest of my life. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life, as I have loved running the shop and being part of the community. I will still be part of the community, but will no longer be the Post Master.
Some of you may have been aware, that I have been trying to sell the business for about 4 years. I have had 2 so called buyers that messed me around time and time again. About 6 weeks ago I finally pulled out of the deal with the then buyer. I just don’t think either were in a position to proceed and wasted my time. I have found it increasing difficult and frustrating to sell the shop to a buyer that is willing to take on the Post Office. To take on a Post Office, it is a long and complicated process, hence the reason few are willing to put themselves through this. I, myself have found it very stressful running the Post Office and the rewards are not great, if any at all. With ever increasing overheads, it is difficult for any new owner to justify keeping the Post Office.
Since I became the Post Master, we have lost many of the services, that use to make it a viable business. People are increasingly doing things on-line, paying bills, car tax, travel insurance, foreign money, banking, TV licensing, Premium Bonds, fishing licensing etc etc. These were all things that use to bring in business. Successive governments and banks have been slowly removing these services. What do we actually do in the Post Office now. Send and receive letters and parcels, draw and deposit cash, though cash deposits are also being eroded by the banks, offer foreign exchange which is used less than once a week, occasional car tax, but people tend to ask us to set up a direct debit so we don’t see any repeat business, pay some bills but this is reducing. I have probably forgot something, but that’s about it.
As you have probably assumed, I do have another buyer for the shop, who for the reasons I have set out above, does not want to take on the Post Office. Does it mean all these services will go, no. I can’t say exactly what he intends to do, it will be their business, but I believe he will be bringing in more parcel carriers, companies like Royal Mail, Evri, In-Post, DPD etc. Cash withdraws, will be via a cash machine or cash back. I would imagine he will be putting in a PayPoint terminal, which will allow for bill payments and gas and Electric top-ups and collect plus. Also there are many banks now using PayPoint to deposit cash, so I assume more will be coming on line. Though the Post Office may be going, many of the services and probably a few more will still be available.
I have been running the shop and Post Office for 13 years and saved it from closing back then. It’s been a lot of hard work for me and the staff to make it what it is today and feel we have given the village a shop to be proud of. We battled through COVID and I know how grateful the village was to have our little shop stay open and pretty much fully stocked throught out the crisis. It took a lot of hard work and long nights getting in the stock. However, it is time for the next chapter of this great little shop.
The new owners are very excited about taking over. They have some great plans and will give it another new lease of life, bigger and better than before. With your support, the village will have a great shop for many years to come. I hope so, as it will still be my local. I just wish I was 15 years younger so I could have carried out the plans for myself, but as I said it’s time for me to hang up my boots
If all goes to plan and that’s a big if, the Post Office will close on the 1st July and the sale will go through on the 6th July. I will still be around for a while to help with a smooth transition. I know a lot of people will not be happy that the Post Office will be going, but I hope I have explained the reasons and you can appreciate why the new owner has taken this decision.
I want to thank every one of the villagers who have supported me, the staff and the shop over the years. Though I will not be there, please give your support to the new owners, like you have to me. If you do. then the village will have a great shop for many years to come.
Thank you
