The former Nevisons Leap pub in Pontefract has been transformed into the new, larger, location for Ferrybridge Road Post Office and Premier convenience store.
Post Office Chief Operating Officer, Mark Donnelly, has “cut the ribbon” today with postmaster Alex Sabanayagam to celebrate the move of the branch to the new premises which is 50 per cent larger than the space available before.
In January 2023, Alex became postmaster for Holmfield Lane Post Office, 33 Orchard Head Lane, Pontefract, WF8 2LY. Soon after, he began his search for bigger premises to grow the retail business along his Post Office.
The Nevisons Leap pub in Ferrybridge Road, Pontefract, WF8 2PG, was empty and Alex spotted the potential and successfully applied for planning permission to adapt and to modernise the premises.
Post Office Chief Operating Officer, Mark Donnelly said: “Alex is a fine example of an entrepreneurial postmaster who wanted to develop his business by moving to larger premises with retail growth opportunity. It’s moved to a bigger premises, on a busier road and with the benefit of lots of parking. As they say location is key and Alex took the time to find the right location. The new store and Post Office look great too.”
Ferrybridge Road Post Office, as the branch is now called, is open daily throughout the same opening hours of the convenience store of Monday to Saturday: 7am – 9.30pm; Sunday: 8am – 9pm.
This is earlier opening and later closing, plus Sunday afternoon opening, which means that the branch is now open an extra 21 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service per week for the convenience of customers.
There is a Post Office service point at the retail counter offering the same Post Office products and services as before. Retail includes groceries, household goods cards, stationery and confectionery.
Ferrybridge Road Postmaster, Alex Sabanayagam, said: “Customers think that the new shop and location are fantastic. It’s not far from where we were before, so we still serving the same community, but it’s in a much better location with lots more passing trade.
“There’s so much parking in the former pub car park, that there’s always somewhere for people to park and to quickly pop in without any frustration of trying to find a parking space to buy their shopping, do banking or to post, collect or to return parcels by Royal Mail, Parcelforce or Evri.
“It did take two years to get planning permission and to get these new premises open, but I’m really pleased with the new-look store and Post Office, and the space to really develop my retail range.”
The new premises has a 20-space car parking area for its customers and with two dedicated disabled parking bays.
The move allowed him to expand his existing business, plus with two rental flats above. There are also future plans for a sandwich shop and barbers with unused space.