Popular couple Meena and Danny Parekh are to retire as owners of Sawston Post Office after 28 years at the helm, but they will continue to work part-time to help the new owners to settle in.
Danny had run a supermarket in Cambridge and his brother was a Postmaster in Histon Then Danny decided instead to take on a Post Office as the hours were less demanding.
Meena and Danny took on nearby Sawston Post Office in 1997 and immediately undertook lots of work to improve the shop, followed by a facelift in 2013.
Postmaster Danny Parekh said: “Meena and I took on Sawston Post Office as we could see lots of potential to improve the branch. Our initial plan was to spend three years building up the business, then to sell it on, but we both decided that he loved the village and our customers so we both decided that we really wanted to stay.
“We have really loved our time here and our customers are like family. We would like to sincerely thank customers for an incredible 28 years. We have loved the people and being part of this community. We have seen people who came in as babies now are adults and some have their own children.
“Now the time is right to step back and (semi) retire so that we have more time to spend with our grandchildren and time for holidays. We know the new owners very well – they are family friends, and they are like a son and daughter to us. We know that they will do a great job running Sawston Post Office. They took on Histon Post Office in 2020 when my brother, Harry, retired.
“Our customers have been so kind since we announced our retirement, with nearly 300 kind comments on social media, phone calls and people popping into see us, with people commenting don’t underestimate what you have done for the village. We have been overwhelmed to hear that they have organised a collection for us towards a holiday, which we never expected.”
A community celebration is being held this Friday (12/3) to say a fond farewell ahead of their final day as owners on 18 March. Then Twinkle and Praduman Zala take over.
They have already planned it so that their very first customer Chris Johnson, who used to work locally, will be their last.
Danny and Meena also want to say a big thank you to their wonderful staff - Lorraine, Colin, Karen, Jeanette, Rachel and Caron. They have also built up a close relationship with the Royal Mail delivery and sorting office team, which is adjoining.
Post Office Area Manager, Caroline Witham-Grange, said: “I want to congratulate Meena and Danny for their long and loyal service to the people of Sawston for 28 years. They have run a 1st class Post Office. They wanted to hand the branch over to Twinkle and Praduman Zala as they felt that they were definitely the right people to take over to continue to serve their beloved community.
“I wish them a very well-earned “semi” retirement as Danny and Meena would describe it as they will initially work at Sawston Post Office on a part-time basis, then they want to provide ad hoc relief cover for other Post Offices.”