Award for a 'Tardis' post office

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A small and remote post office and stores in Powys has earned the nickname of Dr Who's Tardis - it doesn't look much but it packs a lot in.

It is one of Royal Mail's success stories in the wake of a purge on rural post offices over the last few years, which has seen many in the UK close.

Postmistress Sarah Mason and her husband Nigel are being recognised for their work in the village of Newbridge-on-Wye, near Rhayader, Powys.
The customer heroes prize rewards the hard work and community spirit of people working in branches throughout the UK.

But to reach this stage has been a hard slog for the Masons.

Five years ago Mrs Mason, 38, was so disillusioned about the future that she wished she could go back in time, no doubt with the help of the real Tardis, to when rural Post Offices were central to communities.

The advent of the internet, greater mobility and a need to cut costs has placed many of the UK's small and remote post offices under threat, and hundreds have closed.
At the time, Mrs Mason said she felt "under-valued" by Post Office management.

She was running her post office by herself, Mr Mason was a postman, and she said the future looked bleak.

But instead of letting their business "go under", the Masons adopted a new strategy and decided to work closely with their village.

Their business has since been transformed.

"Nigel now works in the business full-time with me and we employ two other people. I never dreamt of that five years ago," said Mrs Mason.

"Five years ago we were left to feel under-valued by Post Office hierarchy. We could have pulled out of the business, the possibility was there, but instead of letting it go under we worked with the village and things have gone from strength to strength.

"When we arrived here six years ago we had very little support.

"The assembly government attitude has altered too, because there are grant schemes available now to help people update their post offices.
"In fact, we're applying for a grant now which could help transform our business further and help us employ another person."

The post office in Newbridge-on-Wye is also a general stores.

"We've gained the customers' trust - customer service is paramount here," she added.

"We give something back too, and help stage an annual village football tournament and Easter egg hunt. My husband and I are both involved with the village football club as well.

Customer heroes

"We now have confidence in our business. I call our little shop Dr Who's Tardis because we pack so much in.

The Masons were nominated for the customer heroes' award by villagers in Newbridge-on-Wye.

"It was so nice to receive the recognition from people in Newbridge," said Mrs Mason. "Without their help I don't know where we'd be."

By winning the customer heroes award in Wales, Mr and Mrs Mason have been entered into the final and the overall winner will be announced on 21 May.

Huw Roberts, director of Welsh Affairs for Royal Mail Group, said: "Receiving the customer heroes award is a worthy accolade for Newbridge-on-Wye post office, particularly as it reflects recognition of the team's hard work and dedication to the customers they serve every day.

"We congratulate the team on their success and wish them the best of luck in the national finals in May."

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At the time, Mrs Mason said she felt "under-valued" by Post Office management

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