Somerset village’s only shop and post office under threat

A Somerset village could be left without its post office and store due to its owner being unable to recruit staff. Owner of Blagdon Stores and Post Office Amar Dhillon has given notice to the Post Office of his intention to close the Post Office on the village’s High Street.

If the closure goes ahead it will leave Blagdon and a number of surrounding villages, including Butcombe and Burrington, without a Post Office. Mr Dhillon, 66, currently employs seven part time staff at the stores and Post Office.

Mr Dhillon said: “I have tried my hardest, but the problem is recruiting staff. It takes a lot of time to train someone to work in the Post Office.

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“Without enough staff, I am left with the stress of all of it. I have given the Post Office notice that I intend to close it but this can take some time.”

Mr Dhillon, who took over the business in May 2021, says the future of the convenience store – the only one in Blagdon – is also under threat due to continuing problems with recruiting staff.

“The stores and Post Office are open 11 hours a day, seven days a week which takes a lot of staff,” he said. “The other issue is that the Government does not pay enough towards the running of the Post Office.

“It costs me around £38,000 a year yet I only receive around £21,000. If I do close it won’t just leave Blagdon without a post office and store, but also other neighbouring villages such as Butcombe and Burrington.”

Mr Dhillon has even taken to social media to try and recruit staff. As well as the post office and stores the businesses also has an off licence.

The news comes at the same time as Portishead – the second largest town in North Somerset – faces losing its Post Office after news that McColls in the High Street where it is based is to close. Anyone who is interested in joining the team at Blagdon Stores can call Amar on 01761 462340

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