Janice Lloyd, who followed in her Mother’s footsteps as postmistress for Waterloo Gardens Post Office, a branch in Penylan, Cardiff, which her family has run for 34 years.
Her parents Mary and Fred Dobbs bought the Post Office and shop selling newspapers, magazines, cards and stationery, in 1990. Janice has worked there since the start and took over as Postmistress in September 2000 – 24 years ago.
Mr Nitharshan Sathananthan, who already runs the nearby Lifestyle Express store, will become the new Postmaster tomorrow (24/10) at the existing premises. Janice will continue to work part-time to help the new owner to settle in.
Her husband, Windsor, will stop working in the shop doing the early morning paper rounds and is looking forward to lie-ins, before he goes off to his other job.
Waterloo Gardens Postmistress, Janice Lloyd, said: “I have really enjoyed my 34 years working here. My family lived locally so we already knew lots of people when we took on the Post Office shop.
“We managed to stay open throughout Covid and we were really busy. People were really grateful that they could still get their vital Post Office services on their doorstep without having to travel.
“Customers are sad that I’m stepping down as postmistress, they don’t want me to go, especially as my family have run this Post Office for so long, but they are pleased that someone they already know is taking over.
“I’m a real people person. I love helping my customer and I will miss serving people, so I will carry on working part-time to help Nitharsan to settle in.
“I live next door, so there will still be lots of opportunities to see my lovely customers. I will now have more time for walking my dog, so will see lots of people for chats on the way.”
Post Office Area Manager, Lowri McCausland, said: “Janice is a very popular postmistress and I want to sincerely thank her for her loyal and committed service to this community for 34 years. I hope Janice enjoys her semi-retirement.”