A POSTMASTER has licked his last stamp and filed his last passport application after an impressive 34 years behind the counter.
Jasminder Singh, better known as Jas, has been helping people send letters and parcels at the Salisbury Road Post Office since 1989. Last week, instead of sending cards, he collected them, and can now look forward to retirement.
His final day was Thursday, January 4.
Jas said he had enjoyed his time serving the Oxford Road community, which has grown over the years as new business and retail parks opened, and new housing was created.
Salisbury Road Post Office was initially a small branch, but Jas extended and modernised it twice to meet the changing needs of the area.
Originally from Middlesex, he helped his parents to run convenience stores. When the Postmaster for Salisbury Road wanted to retire, Jas decided to take the plunge.
“As soon as I visited Salisbury Road Post Office I fell in love with the place,” he said. “The area had character and the Post Office had been in the heart of the community in this location since the 1900s.
“The best thing about being a Postmaster has been the interaction with customers. I like to be at the counter serving customers or training staff, then I can interact with my customers. I like to make my customers happy.
“If they are happy, then I am happy. I like to be involved with my community.”
Being a Postmaster has not been without its challenged, but Jas was proud of being able to help people during the lockdown phases of the covid pandemic.
“We managed to stay open throughout to maintain vital Post Office services to the community,” he explained.
And changes to society has seen the way in which people interact with Post Offices has also evolved.
“All of the banks in this area have closed down, whereas there used to be several. We have picked up lots of banking customers as a result,” Jas said.
“Personal and business banking customers find it so easy just to pop in and to make cash and cheques deposits and cash withdrawals.”
Now, it’s all about the future, and Jas is looking forward to travelling the world with his wife Rennie.
“Customers are sad that I am leaving, but they are pleased that I will be able to take life easier and they are delighted that there are new owners taking over who are very experienced in retail. The existing Post Office staff are remaining with their extensive knowledge of Post Office services,” he said.
Jas’ service has been appreciated by the Post Office.
Its area manager, Tauseef Yaqoob, said: “Jas has served his community really well since 1989.
“He has seized opportunities to really grow his business as the area expanded.
“We thank him for his dedicated service to the residents and businesses of West Reading and his first-class customer service.
“I wish Jas a well-earned retirement.”
The new owners are ZVF Pharma. Led by Munmeet Rai and Hartej Rai, the company already runs the Oxford Road Pharmacy, MedWay Pharmacy and The Little Village Pharmacy.
