There’ll be some more fresh faces on High Street this week when a new owner takes over at Ruddington Post Office.
It’s almost a year since RUDDINGTON.info revealed the Patels had decided to put their successful business up for sale. However, rather a lot has happened in the world since then which is continuing to have a significant impact on ‘normal’ village life and that of its traders.
This essential shop has continued to serve residents during now two COVID-19 ‘lockdowns’ during 2020 – and Nikki Wright and her team have found themselves taking over at the helm halfway through the second! Nevertheless, all is set to continue under the new management from this Thursday, November 19th.
“We would like to thank Soham and the family for all the support and advice over past few months and we wish them every success in what they go onto do” says Nikki, who has worked in various post offices around the area in recent years. “Previous to that, my parents and I ran East Leake Post Office from 1998-2005”.
A change in family circumstances prompted her latest move: “I decided to look for a business of my own and I saw Ruddington and liked the look of it and, of course, the village is a lovely vibrant place” Nikki explains. “We will be making some changes and adding to the existing retail side of the Post Office. We hope this will enhance the business.”
Nikki will be the new sub-postmistress whilst Hayley will be the day-to-day manager of the shop. Existing staff member Lisa will be joined by new recruits Claire and Susie.
The Patels have already much improved and expanded the business during their tenure – even adding an external cashpoint alongside other new banking facilities for the convenience of High Street shoppers when both of our village banks were closed down. They also funded a smart, new external postbox when the old pillar box had to be moved.
Additionally, Soham initiated the sale of plastic-free fruit and veg from the premises when Thomas’s Greengrocers first closed. Subsequently he was a founding member of the award winning Ruddington Village Centre Partnership which sought to breathe new life into our High Street and now also runs the monthly market on The Green.
With Kitty retiring, the Patels will remain landlords of the post office building, and for the neighbouring properties, so are still likely to be seen around the village quite regularly. Their last day working there will be this Tuesday, November 17th:
“The Post Office and the community of Ruddington have been a big part of our lives for many years” says Soham. “In this time, we have felt much warmth, kindness, thanks and appreciation. I cannot thank Ruddington enough for the support and custom and also putting up with us over the years! As I now look to move on from the Post Office and work towards other goals, I’d like like to wish a farewell to our community. In the coming days Ruddington Post Office is due to be passed over to Mrs Nikki Wright, to carry on the torch of the post office for Ruddington.”
Nikki advises that the Post Office will be closed for just one day, on Wednesday November 18th, to enable the full handover: “So our opening day will be Thursday 19th November. We are really excited about taking over Ruddington Post Office. We hope all customers, old and new, will pop in and say ‘hi’. We are always here to help and, if anyone has anything they think we are missing in our post office,then please come and have a chat with myself or Hayley” says Nikki.
To start off with, Ruddington Post Office opening hours will be 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9-1pm Saturday, although they’re planning to open half an hour earlier on weekdays once they’ve settled in. Lockdown permitting, it’s also hoped they can join in with other village traders for the planned ‘late night opening’ on Fridays in December, during the run-up to Christmas.
