Caroline Ansell MP for Eastbourne “cut the ribbon” on Monday 24 August at the official opening of Langney Post Office with new Postmaster Sholeh Williams.
The new Post Office at Langney Shopping Centre, 64 Kingfisher Drive, Eastbourne, BN23 7RT has restored Post Office service to the area.
The Post Office is inside a recently built shop called Langney Post Office and Sweetie Choices, which specialises in retro sweets and greetings cards. This is a family-run business with Sholeh’s husband Paul and their daughter Persia.
Caroline Ansell MP, said: “We are delighted that Langney Post Office has re-opened with an enthusiastic new Postmaster Sholeh Williams and her family. A Post Office offers so many services and it is vital to a community. Residents and local businesses can do their banking withdrawals and deposits on behalf of the major banks at a Post Office, providing convenience for customers.”
Cllr Alan Shuttleworth, ward councillor, said: “It is great to have Langney Post Office back at the heart of this community. We campaigned for a branch as it is essential for the whole community and especially the elderly. The recently built shop is perfectly located.”
Postmaster Mrs Sholeh Williams has been involved in retail and customer service throughout her career, including working in a sweet shop, where she got the idea for her shop.
Mrs Williams, said: “Customers are really happy to have a Post Office again. Many customers have just come out of shielding and they are really pleased to have a Post Office in their community, so they don’t have to travel. People also really like the retro sweets. I really want
to thank Anna Hooper, who was the lovely lady who was out in all-weathers getting over 5000 signatures on a petition to get a post office here.”
The previous branch, which was at 62 Kingfisher Drive, Eastbourne, closed temporarily in January 2019 due to the resignation of the Postmaster.
Post Office services are provided from two open-plan counters alongside the retail till of the sweet and cards shop. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm.
Post Office Area Change Manager, Sam Coe: “We are very pleased to have re-opened Langney Post Office at the heart of the community as it clearly evident how important a Post Office is to this community. The Coronavirus pandemic unfortunately delayed our plans to restore a Post Office earlier this year as we needed to adhere to social distancing guidelines, which delayed the required on-site training.”
The branch offers customers a wide range of Post Office services, from posting letters and parcels to collecting and returning online shopping items, plus MoneyGram, the international money transfer. Customers can also take advantage of a wide range of banking services including cash withdrawals and balance enquiries for customers of all the main UK banks. Car tax renewal is also available at this branch.
