A COUPLE who have run Gargrave Post Office, giving 27 years’ loyal service to the community. retires today, March 24.

Nigel Taylor and his wife, Susan, took on the branch at 7 High Street, Gargrave, in 1994.

Mr Taylor had previously worked for Barclays Bank.

The Taylors have now decided to retire from the Post Office but say they will be semi-retired as they still have a holiday cottage business.

Mr Taylor said retirement would offer them more free time, adding: “We have really enjoyed serving our customers over the last 27 years. We will miss serving them, but we will continue to live in the village.

“Our customers are upset that we are going, but we decided that it was time to retire. We will have more time for walking and playing golf.”

Carol Head, Post Office area manager, said: “We thank Nigel and Susan for their long service to the community and we wish them well for their well-earned retirement.”

On the Post Office website it states they are looking for applicants to set up a brand new post office in premises in the area as the facility which closes today will not be available.

It stipulates that Post Office Ltd is looking for a ‘successful retailer to incorporate a Post Office Local into their existing or proposed business’.

It continues: “The offer available in this post office would be integrating post office services into a vibrant and sustainable retail business, so they can be offered over the same opening hours.

“The exact layout and design will be agreed with you to suit your business.”

The website lists the skills a candidate would ideally need and gives estimated Post Office fees in the current location in the range of £5,251 to £5,834 per annum.

The closing date for entries is February 25, 2022, with a facility for registering an interest on the website..

The vacancy for Gargrave Post Office is advertised at: https://runapostoffice.co.uk/branch/gargrave-post-office-skipton-bd23-3ra

In the interim, the nearest branches can be found at Hellifield and Skipton.