By Lily Chick
POPULAR DOBCROSS postmaster Sukhi Singh has bid a fond farewell to customers as he moves on after nearly two decades.
The 34-year-old leaves the Post Office, which his family has run for 17-and-a-half years, on Friday, June 16 to pursue a career in the cooking world.
He said: “I took over 12 years ago when my dad fell ill. It was never the career I imagined having, but I have enjoyed every minute of it.
“Community spirit in Saddleworth is great. The people have come to feel like a family and I’ll miss that.
“I feel a little bit of sorrow at leaving but a lot of excitement at what I’ve got planned.
“I will miss being an active member of the community. Thank you to the whole village for their support over the years.”
Suhki has exciting adventures in store as he is set to travel to India for 3-and-a-half months and then on to Dubai on a ‘food journey’.
Along the way he will be posting a blog and video blog of his experiences and research, before he returns to Dobcross to launch a new business.
Meanwhile back at the Post Office, new owner Anna Roscoe has a host of exciting ideas planned for the Post Office, which is now ‘Dobcross Village Store’.
Anna, who is running the store with friend Michelle, said: “I am really excited to take over and hope to make some good changes.”
Changes will include a fully refurbished post office with longer hours, a new range of products, and a farm deli with fresh local food.
The store will be closed for two weeks in early August while the refurbishment is carried out by the Post Office.
A Post Office spokesperson confirmed there will be no public consultation as the Post Office is not moving location but there will be a Customer Engagement exercise to advise opinion formers and customers of the changes and offering the chance to give any feedback.
For more information on Sukhi’s cooking adventures go online: www.cookingwithsukhi.com
Meanwhile, a six-week public consultation over the relocation for Greenfield Post Office comes to an end on June 23.
The current post office on Chew Valley Road is due to close as postmistress Mandy Gorey is set to retire and no replacement could be found.
However, a successful campaign by Richard Knowles, former Oldham Council leader, Saddleworth Parish Councillor Alan Belmore and OMBC Councillor John McCann helped save the vital services.
The public consultation invites customers and interested parties to give their comments on the planned move to Greenfield Newsagents just 380 metres down the road.
Plans for the new location include a modern, local-style branch with extended hours and offering a wide range of Post Office and banking services.
A spokesperson for the Post Office confirmed there is no timescale after the end of consultation until an official announcement of the decision as each case is handled on the particular circumstance, merits and feedback.
