York postmaster runs post office in greenhouse for 30 years

Postmaster Chris Small is celebrating 30 years of running the branch in the family-run Orchard Nurseries at 48, Hopgrove Lane South off Stockton Lane.

Inside the glassed-paned greenhouse where plants are grown and sold, the equipment for the part-time post office branch is brought out two mornings a week, then safely stored elsewhere at other times.

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Mr Small said: “It’s unusual having a post office inside a greenhouse, but it works well as I can run it alongside my nursery business growing perennials, bedding plants, shrubs and trees. I know that there are some post offices inside garden centres, but they are in traditional buildings, not a greenhouse.

“Locals know that I offer post office services, but many gardeners coming to buy from the nursery don’t. So, I let them know that they can do their everyday banking here, buy stamps, send parcels, pay bills, collect parcels, drop & go mail services and top up their post office travel moneycard.

“There has never been a bank near here, but my bank in York has recently closed. My nearest branch is in Leeds, which is an hour away, but I can do my banking here.

“I let customers know they can do personal and business banking here, including free cash withdrawals.

“This saves people travel time and parking costs to do their banking when Hopgrove Post Office is open.

“There’s free, plentiful, parking here. I love my chats with my post office and nursery customers, including one regular customer who is a stamp trader and sends letters across the world.”

Chris Small celebrating 30 years as postmaster (Image: Supplied) The nursery is open daily Monday – Saturday from 9am – 5pm and on Sunday from 10am – 5pm. This means that parcels for collection from the Post Office can easily be delivered by Royal Mail and Parcelforce. Kind-hearted Chris lets customers collect parcels outside of branch times.

Mr Small said Hopgrove Post Office had been inside the previous postmistress’s conservatory prior to him taking on the branch – so it went from one glass building to another upon her retirement.

A 30 Years’ post office long service award has been presented to Mr Small, who also worked throughout the pandemic to maintain vital services to the community.

Post office area manager, Cath Oglesby, said: “Hopgrove Post Office is definitely the most unusual location that I support, but it’s located where it can serve two parishes as well as commuters.

“I want to sincerely thank Chris for his long and loyal service to this York neighbourhood for three decades.”