Mansfield postmaster celebrates 30 years of being at the heart of the community

Kalvinder Sohal, better known to customers as Kal, is postmaster at Bull Farm Post Office.

When Kal and his wife Manjit, took on the branch 30 years ago, it was a small, standalone site.

Then they invested heavily into their business by adding a large extension to the premises on empty adjoining land.

Their shop is now five-times its original size and there is a modern Nisa convenience store alongside the Post Office.

Later Kal and Manjit continued to invest in their community by adding three further shops for two takeaways and a barbers that are rented out and have generated local jobs for people.

Kal and Manjit say they have very fond memories of serving the community for three decades.

They have got to know their customers well and people who came in as children when they started out now have children of their own.

Kal said: “We love to serve the community and we are at the hub of Bull Farm.

“The branch is open daily from early until late and it’s easy for people to just pop in.

"We’re open longer hours than the banks too and this makes it easier for individuals to do their personal and business banking, as well as bring their parcels to post, home shopping returns and collect parcels from here without having to pay for parking.

“People can also buy Evri services here in addition to traditional Royal Mail and Parcelforce services, giving people greater choice.”

Kal was presented with his long service award by Tony Sanghera, Post Office regional manager, Gideon Hancock, Post Office area regional manager.

Mr Hancock, said: “I want to sincerely thank Kal for being the postmaster for Bull Farm for 30 years and for being a first class postmaster.

"Kal and Manjit have done a great job building their business, which has proved a real boost for the community with their much larger shop today for Bull Farm Post Office and Nisa convenience store, plus the extra local shops they have built for other retailers, creating lots of local jobs.”