North-east post office secures new owner

The business, which comprises a post office, travel agency, and a newsagent, was sold off an asking price of £70,000.

New owner Ali said: “My plan is for all current staff to be retained and to improve on the business’s retail offering, adding more variety to what is already available.”

Previous owner Geoff Huggin, who acquired the business in 2008, decided to sell to pursue other commitments overseas.

Andrew Birnie, director of retail at Christie & Co, said: “This deal was agreed pre-Covid-19, we have been lucky in our specialist area of retail in that buyers have not pulled out. In fact, demand has increased dramatically due to these businesses remaining open throughout the pandemic and that turnover has increased due to changing shopping habits.”

He added: “Ali has many years’ experience running convenience stores and a smaller post office. A feature of the business new to Mr Ali is the travel bureau which is run by experienced staff. There is space in the retail area to add new products and services, Mr Ali has plans and we look forward to seeing changes in the future.”