The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Cllr Simon Bond officially “cut the ribbon” (28/2) to mark the grand opening of newly refurbished Highway Post Office and convenience store at 8 Highway Avenue, Maidenhead, SL6 5AF.
New postmasters, Jai Chanuniya and his son, Anup, have spearheaded a major transformation of the store, modernising it from floor to ceiling with brand-new flooring, lighting, shelving, fridges, and freezers. The investment has revitalised the shop, offering a much-improved shopping experience.
A key part of the refurbishment was the removal of the old-style full-screened Post Office counter, replacing it with an open-plan service point. This creates a more welcoming atmosphere and allows for easier, more personal interactions between staff and customers. This change freed up space to expand the store’s retail offering with a much wider selection of groceries, frozen food, alcohol, spirits, drinks, cards and stationery.
Opening hours for Highway Post Office have been improved. The branch is now open Monday to Saturday: 9am – 7pm, providing 60 hours of service a week. This is an additional 16 hours of service per week, with later closing, for the convenience of customers.
The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Cllr Simon Bond, said: “I’m delighted to officially open this fantastic new-look Highway Post Office and convenience store. Huge congratulations to Jai and Anup for their commitment to improving this essential local service. The investment they’ve made is a real benefit to the community, and the store looks amazing.”
Jai and Anup took over the Post Office in early December but delayed refurbishment until after the busy Christmas period. The ambitious four-week project has now completely revitalised the space, making it more modern, welcoming and convenient for customers.
For over a decade Jai has been in retail. He was inspired to take on his own Post Office by his brother, Gurcharan Singh, and cousin, Gurinder Singh, who own Stoke Poges Lane Post Office in Slough. Jai credits their support as instrumental in making this venture a reality, saying: “Without the help and support from my brother, this wouldn’t have been possible.”
The transformation has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, who appreciate both the modern look and the longer opening hours.
Jai added: “People walk in and say, ‘wow!’ They’re so impressed with the changes. Nearby businesses are also happy to see investment in the area. Customers tell us how much more convenient it is now that they can get everything they need, with longer opening.”
Husna Ramjahn, Post Office Business Support Manager, said: “Huge congratulations to Jai and Anup for completely transforming the store. It’s barely recognisable! There’s a real buzz of excitement from customers, and the extended hours will be a huge help for people with busy lives.”
With its modernised look, extended hours, and improved retail offering, Highway Post Office is now better equipped than ever to serve the local community.