The Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, Councillor Andrew Reece, has “cut the ribbon” at Gotherington Local Store and Gotherington Post Office with new Postmaster Manpreet Singh.
The premises, at 7 Cleeve Road, Gotherington, had been a café incorporating a Post Office until it closed in July last year. It underwent a major refurbishment by the Singh family to become a convenience store – an amenity much needed by the community as people had to travel long distances to buy groceries. Gotherington Post Office then re-opened at the beginning of December – perfect timing just before Christmas, their busiest time of year.
Councillor Reece said: “This new convenience store looks great after the major refit. It’s just what the community needed – a shop where they can buy their groceries and a Post Office all under one roof, without the need to travel from the village. I want to congratulate Postmaster Manpreet Singh and his family for opening this shop.”
The Chairman of Gotherington Parish Council, Councillor Howard Samuels, who is a regular customer at the shop, was also in attendance at the official opening, along with former Tewkesbury Borough councillor Allen Keyte. Manpreet wanted to thank them for their support and advice, and for their encouragement that the community would support a convenience store.
His family are experienced retailers – Gotherington Local Store and Gotherington Post Office are also being run by his father Sukhi, mother Tina Kaur and his brother Arsh.
Manpreet said: “People are being very supportive. We are getting great feedback from customers and on social media. They are delighted to have a convenience store and a Post Office on their doorstep again, and being able to re-open the Post Office at the start of December was perfect.
“It was a complete refurbishment that we undertook including new electrics, flooring, lighting, chillers and shelving to open the store. Everyone is pleased with how good the store looks. We stock quality produce at affordable prices. We also have local produce – and our curries are proving very popular too!”
