The people of West Hampstead are celebrating St James Church making a bold decision to open its doors for many different community uses, ten years ago.
History was made when St James Church offered to take on West Hampstead Post Office when it needed a new home. This is the first, full-time, permanent Post Office in a church.
The Anglican church is at 2 Sherriff Road, London NW6 2AP. Adding the Post Office was part of a much bigger project, for The Sherriff Centre, to provide a wide range of community uses for all generations and for all faiths or non-believers.
The Sherriff Centre is also home to a community hub, The Sanctuary café, soft play area, debt advice and surplus food for those in need. It is also still a church used for prayer and services at dedicated times.
Jane Edwards, Centre Director for The Sherriff Centre, said: “Good use is made of the beautiful building daily. It really is at the heart of this West Hampstead community. We are delighted with how successful the initiative has been.
Ten years ago, we had Glenda Jackson MP and Tulip Siddiq MP at the official opening as there were going to be boundary changes. Both have been Friends of The Sherriff Centre. Sadly, Glenda passed away last year, Tulip’s still very supportive and her children have had their birthday parties here. The community has also really backed us.”
To mark the 10th anniversary, on Saturday (20/7) there was free family entertainment during the day. A grown-up evening celebration was also held for those involved with The Sherriff Centre including Father Andrew Cain, who was in charge of the Church at the time, big supporters of the project and staff past and present. Staff also enjoyed a cake on the actual anniversary (18/7).
The longest serving member of staff is Post Office Branch Manager, Hitesh Pankhaniya. He first worked at the branch at the previous location in West End Lane as a counter clerk.
Hitesh Pankhaniya, said: “I have worked for West Hampstead Post Office now for 15 years. When there was talk of moving to St James Church, I wasn’t sure that it would work, but I was totally wrong – it works brilliantly for everyone.
“I much prefer working here to a traditional high street location. There’s such a lovely atmosphere. People come and going all the time. Even if someone isn’t coming to use the Post Office, they recognise you and you get a cheerful wave, smile or stop for a quick chat. It’s such a beautiful, ornate, building with its design and the stained-glass windows.
“It’s a lively, fun place to work. There is lots of chit-chat as people come here to meet up. You hear laughter, screams of delight from the youngsters using the soft play. Then there is a quieter area where people can get advice about debt.
“We get lots of tourists, especially Americans, who are interested to see how a church is offering so many different community uses, including a Post Office. They think it is great.
“So many local banks have closed, but people can come here to do their personal and banking on behalf of all the major high street banks. The Post Office was able to stay open during Covid as we provide vital Post Office services for this community.
“As well as traditional Royal Mail and Parcelforce services, we do DPD and Amazon services – so we have evolved with the times.”
West Hampstead Post Office inside St James Church has been a big success story. Now more churches across the UK provide Post Office services, on a permanent or temporary basis to help to full-fill our aim of keeping Post Office’s at the heart of communities.
There are other branches based in pubs, café’s, garages, toy shops, doctors surgeries, chemists and garden centres.
Gaurav Vyas, Post Office Area manager, said: “West Hampstead Post Office is a great branch in a unique location. There is a wonderful atmosphere. There’s always a buzz seeing families enjoying the soft play, people meeting up at the café and people really enjoy working there.
“Hitesh and his team in the Post Office know that the cost of living has hit some customers hard. They can quietly mention the debt advice centre or there is an area of surplus food that they can help themselves to provided by people in the community and local foof business as this is a supportive community.”