Local residents gathered in Yate on Friday 20th October to celebrate the first anniversary of the reopening of the North Road Post Office. The anniversary event was attended by a number of guests and local people, as well as local MP Luke Hall, who were all delighted to be able to celebrate the first year of renewed business for a vital service for the Yate community.
The North Road branch had closed in 2015 due to the retirement of the previous postmistress. The Post Office had been looking for people to take on the branch when entrepreneurial couple Jenna Hale and Paul Jefferies, landlords of the Codrington Arms pub, enthusiastically decided to take on the project after a public consultation saw overwhelming support from local people. The branch then finally reopened in October 2016, among enormous support from local residents and businesses who offered their assistance with various aspects of the project. The relaunch of the North Road Post Office was also possible thanks to a £1,500 grant received from the Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund, which helped fund the conversion of the Codrington Arms’ disused barn.
The Post Office branch, which is at the rear of the pub, is open from Monday to Friday from 8 – 17pm and 9 – 12pm on Saturdays. In addition to the usual Post Office products and services delivered from an open-plan till, residents will be able to shop around the attached convenience store, which stocks general grocery items such as milk and eggs, as well as newspapers and toiletries.
Local MP Luke Hall, who attended the anniversary event, said: “I was delighted to join local residents in celebrating the first anniversary of the reopening of the local North Road Post Office. After a year of successful business it was great to be able to once again recognise Jenna and Paul’s efforts to bring back such an important service for the local community, who can now enjoy a lovely shop and Post Office right here in North Road”.
Marian Lewis, Ward Councillor for Ladden Brook, said: “The whole community is delighted with the services provided by the Old Barn Post Office and Shop attached to the Codrington Arms. We are particularly pleased with the Post Office facility, which must have saved us from hundreds of journeys into Yate and long queues in the main Post Office. As predicted, the Old Barn serves the communities of Rangeworthy and Iron Acton as well as Engine Common. Well done Jenna and Paul!’
Jenna said: “As a chance to thank the local businesses, charities and supporters for their help in making the Post Office happen in the first place, we invited them and Luke Hall to celebrate our first birthday. The project has been well supported by the local community, local businesses and previous customers of the North Road Post Office. Special thanks to Councillor Marian Lewis, Pub is the Hub, South West Interiors, Kents Building Plastics and Sprint Print for their donations, and to all our loyal and supportive customers. We are currently looking for volunteers to help assist in the shop throughout December. Thank you to everyone for joining us to celebrate”.