Seven of Norfolk’s quirkiest post offices
Up to 61 more Post Office branches will move into WHSmith stores over the next year. Photo: Lewis Stickley/PA Wire - Credit: PA
The days of the conventional high street post office have come to an end. Today a number of branches can now be found in unusual locations and often serve more than one purpose. Here's a look at some of the less traditional post offices dotted across Norfolk.
• Holt Vinyl Vault, 1 Cromer Road, Holt
There aren't many places in the world where you can browse through David Bowie records and buy a stamp all while enjoying a bit of The Rolling Stones, but at Holt Vinyl Vault, an old-fashioned record shop come retro-style post office, that's exactly what you can do.
Holt Vinyl Vault and Post Office.PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
• The Cellar House, 2 Eaton Street, Eaton
When the village postmaster retired, landlady Victoria MacDonald stepped in to help the community and opened a post office inside her pub. Located at the end of the bar, the post office is open at various times between Monday and Sunday and offers standard postal services, foreign currency, bill payments, transfers, car tax and gift cards.
Victoria MacDonald with Terry Stork of 'Pub is the Hub' at the opening of the new Post Office in the bar of the Cellar House pub in Eaton, Norwich. Photo: Bill Smith - Credit: Archant
• Elmham Tea Post, Holt Road, North Elmham
In North Elmham, not only can you fulfil all your postal needs, you can also treat yourself to a cup of tea and a slice of cake while you do so. Elmham Tea Post opened in 2014 and offers a tea room and post office all under one roof.
Postmaster Ben Grainger has converted part of the post office at North Emham into a cafe. Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: IAN BURT
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• Green Pastures Plant Centre and Farm Shop, Mill Road, Bergh Apton
After the former Bergh Apton post office closed in 2013 due to a retirement, the branch found an unlikely new home in Green Pastures Plant Centre and Farm Shop. The post office is open seven days a week and covers everything but car tax, passport enquiries and transactions.
The new Post Office at Green Pastures Plant Centre and Farm Shop in Bergh Apton, which is open seven days a week. Photo: Jeremy Durking/PA - Credit: PA
• The Village Hall, Grove Lane, Tasburgh
Tasburgh postmaster Peter La Costa retired in 2013 after running the village post office and shop with his wife for ten years. A replacement service was later provided inside the main entrance to the village hall on a Tuesday and Thursday.
Tasburgh village hall.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY - Credit: Archant Norfolk
• Boots Pharmacy, Colman Road, Norwich
It's pretty handy to be able to pick up a prescription and a parcel at the same time, and that's just what you can do at the Boots Pharmacy on Colman Road, Norwich. However this service won't be available much longer as the post office is scheduled to relocate to a nearby McColls over the coming months.
Boots Pharmacy and Post Office, Colman Road, Norwich. Photo: Google - Credit: Archant
• Starlings Toy Store, High Street, Sheringham
When you think post office, you probably don't think toy store, but in Sheringham the two are operating together in harmony, despite recent rumours that the post office branch could be relocated to another store in the town centre.
The Post Office branch at Starlings toy shop in Sheringham. - Credit: Google
• Are you in favour of multipurpose post offices, or would you prefer a return to something a little more traditional? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
