Richard Foord MP for Honiton and Sidmouth and local councillors attended the official opening of Axminster Post Office and store (7/8) with the new permanent owners Steve and Teresa Smith.
The couple are highly experienced as they run Post Offices and a Mobile Post Office in Somerset and Dorset.
The branch in West Street, Axminster, EX13 5NU, had been temporarily run. As part of taking on Axminster Post Office on a permanent basis at the existing location, Steve and Teresa undertook a refurbishment of the premises.
They have also added a full retail range alongside the Post Office for stationery, cards, gift wrap, gifts, confectionery and a photobooth. It is now fully stocked.
Richard Foord MP said: “It is great news that Axminster Post Office has a new operator. Steve and Teresa Smith have invested in refurbishing the store and providing an improved retail offer too. I have heard good things from residents about the changes that have been made. I want to thank Steve and Teresa for taking on the branch, and for their improvements.”
Axminster Town Crier, Nick Goodwin, formally announced the news that Axminster Post Office had opened. Councillors Paul Hayward, Sarah Jackson and Simon Smith were also in attendance.
Steve and Teresa have run Crewkerne Post Office in Somerset since 2016. Like Axminster it is a busy mains branch. So, they are familiar with the wide range of Post Office services including everyday and business banking, sending and collecting parcels, including for DPD and Evri, passport applications, plus vehicle tax and document verification services Customers can also get foreign currency on demand and the Post Office Travel Money Card, pay bills and transfer money via Western Union money transfer services.
The existing, experienced, staff at Axminster Post Office, are continuing to work at the branch, so there are familiar faces including the manager.
Steve and Teresa also operate Beaminster Post Office in Dorset and Crewkerne Mobile which serves 14 communities.
Postmaster Steve Smith said: “We are delighted to have out first Post Office in Devon. We could see lots of potential to develop Axminster Post Office, especially on the retail side and there was already a good team of people working there serving the community.
“We have made the shop look more inviting and there is now a really good retail range. Customers are really pleased with the new-look store.”