A HUSBAND and wife team who have provided a first class service as postmasters in Shoebury have stepped down after 30 years.
Harish and Anjana Panchal have celebrated their final day as owners of Station News and Shoebury Post Office.
The shop, opposite Shoebury train station, was purchased by the couple back in 1992.
New owners have now taken over, with Anjana helping out as part of a handover process.
Harish, 69, said: “We took over the shop 30 years ago, and before I had another shop in the area.
“We have seen people from young age and coming into our shop and watching them grow up or grandparents coming with their grandchildren and tell telling them that this is the place they came when they were younger.
“And we really take pride in that, serving generations of the Shoebury community.”
The Covid pandemic proved a huge difficulty for the couple, as they weighed up staying open for loyal customers and isolating to protect their health.
Ultimately, they made the choice to say open for as long possible during the pandemic.
Harish said: “During Covid time, I was already over 65 and we decided to make sure that we will continue to open because our shop sells all sorts that people need.
“We had so many people coming and telling us that ‘this is very good, please keep going’.
“That was a fond memory, I was chuffed with the all of us; Covid was very scary, and we didn’t know what would happen next.”
The couple plan to continue supporting events and initiatives in Shoebury, after taking a break to visit their relatives living abroad.
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