A 10th anniversary celebration has been held to mark the success story of Stradbroke Post Office at Stradbroke Library.
The relocation of Stradbroke Post Office has resulted in more people using Stradbroke Library to borrow books, seek advice from the library staff and to visit the community café on a Thursday and a Saturday.
More customers now use Stradbroke Post Office than a decade ago. There are no longer any banks in the area, so the branch is proving to be a lifeline for people to do their everyday banking on behalf of the major high street banks and for free cash withdrawals.
This year, vehicle tax renewal has been an extra service added to Stradbroke Post Office.
Maureen John, Manager for Stradbroke and Debenham Libraries said: “It works out really well having Stradbroke Library, Stradbroke Post Office and the community café together. It’s a real community hub and people now have more reason to visit. It’s a very friendly place to go and people often remark ‘where would we be without this place’ and it’s also somewhere that people can keep warm in winter and not be alone.
“Those ten years have gone so fast. We couldn’t let the 10th anniversary go past without marking the occasion and the success of the services co-existing.”
Stradbroke Post Office and Stradbroke Library are based in The Old Court House in Queen Street, Stradbroke, IP21 5HG and alongside is the popular community café, which offers a sociable place to enjoy discounted refreshments with family and friends, or somewhere to meet people to combat loneliness.
Customers at the community café enjoyed free refreshments on the 10th anniversary. There was also a Post Office branded cake for people to enjoy.
A buffet celebration for invited guests was also held for people connected to the library, Post Office and people in the community who made the idea of a Post Office at Stradbroke Library a reality. This included Post Office Area Change Manager Wendy Hamilton Post Office and current Regional Manager Andy Parker.
Wendy Hamilton said: “I had the pleasure of attending a 10-year anniversary for the Post Office in Stradbroke. I was involved in setting this branch up as one of the first Local Post Offices operated by a Library service and what a pleasure to see it still thriving, the branch is busier than ever, and it is a vital service for Stradbroke but also the wider community. We wish Maureen John the Library and Post Office Manager best wishes for the next 10 years!”
People shared their memories from the past 10 years including how Stradbroke Post Office had remained fully open during Covid as it provided essential services during the pandemic.
The branch had been really busy with people sending parcels to people that they could not see, home shopping returns, bill payments and local collect services.
Staff and customers wore masks and to allow room for social distancing, queuing had also taken place in the community café, as that could not open then.
Stradbroke Post Office is open Monday and Tuesday: 2 - 5pm; Thursday: 9am – 1pm & 2 – 5pm; Friday: 2 - 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 1pm.