Couple abandon retirement to run Cottam post office

Sheela and Gary Harper had been volunteering at the community centre

A husband and wife with "too much energy" have abandoned retirement to take over a post office that was thrown a lifeline by a parish council.

Cottam Post Office was forced to relocate to the local community centre two years ago after its base in the Preston village was severely flooded.

The move has been made permanent as the original premises have now been sold.

Sheela and Gary Harper said taking charge had "been a bit of a learning curve, but we love it".

The mobile counter unit that was installed in a room within the Haydocks Lane community facility has now been transformed into a permanent home for the post office, with its own dedicated entrance, after Cottam Community Association secured planning permission for the change in October.

'A boost'

The Harpers, who had been retired for a few years, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they "both just had too much energy - and this has got us active again".

"Everyone is so nice around here," they said.

Their involvement came after the departure of the long-serving couple who had been at the helm of the business for more than 20 years - and was due in no small part to their decision to get a dog, Bob, to accompany them in what was supposed to be a relaxing retirement.

"We were planning to go on long holidays, but I just couldn't leave him," Mrs Harper said.

"We moved to Cottam in 2021 and had been volunteering at the community centre, so that's how we heard that they need someone for the post office," she added.

She said she previously worked as a commercial director, while her husband had run his own business.

Lea and Cottam Parish Council vice-chairwoman Christine Abram said that preserving the post office was crucial for the community.

"It would have been a real loss if it had closed," she said.

"For one thing, you can get money out there - and banks are few and far between nowadays, plus the bus service into Preston isn't great.

"So the parish council have been very supportive and it's been a boost [to the area] to relocate it in the community centre."