The Badger Hounds in Hinderwell near Saltburn-by-the-Sea has opened the Post Office, combined with a shop, with financial support from Pub is The Hub.
When postmaster and shop owner Mike Bunn and his wife Chris announced their retirement recently, it was the pub licensees, Andy and Jenny Trowsdale, who decided to take on the service.
Andy Trowsdale said: “When we heard that Mike was ready to retire what thought it would be a great opportunity to offer the shop and post office service from the pub. We’re open seven days a week and for long hours so it doesn’t take much to make the transition from pints to post!”
The couple have run the Badger Hounds for four years. They took advantage of a £4,000 grant from Pub is the Hub to help towards the cost of converting the pub.
The shop and post office is accessible a front door and from within the pub.
Advisor for Pub is the Hub, Trisha Hughes, said: “The village’s valuable service was under threat of closure and Andy and Jenny stepped forward to keep it going. We were delighted to help in any way that we could.”
The shop will serve convenience items, newspapers, locally sourced fruit, vegetables, bakery and dairy produce as well as the post office service.
Former postmaster Bunn had the honours of opening the new Post Office.
Andy Trowsdale added: “Mike has done a fantastic job for Hinderwell for thirteen years and is well known and respected. It felt right that he should officially hand over the reins to our new venture.”
Pub is The Hub’s Community Services Fund was established with funding from the government and the drinks manufacturer Diageo PLC in April 2013 to help UK pubs diversify into new services.
In launching the fund, Pub is The Hub recognised that good licensees today can work with the public, private and voluntary sector to improve the local economy, and is able to provide grants of up to £4,000.