Port Bannatyne says thank you as post office owners retire

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.buteman.co.uk/community/comm ... -1-2880893" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Villagers in Port Bannatyne turned out in force on Friday night to say thank you to the couple who have run the village’s shop and post office for the last four and a half years.

Patrick and Janet O’Sullivan, who are retiring this weekend, have transformed the small post office into one of the hubs of life in ‘the Port’, now also featuring a busy village shop and cafe and employing two local people, since taking over the business on October 28, 2008.

A painting of the couple by artist and Port holiday home owner Chris Markwell was presented to the O’Sullivans by local Argyll and Bute councillor Robert Macintyre Friday’s event in Port Bannatyne’s village hall.

“We only intended to stay for two years,” Patrick said.

“We had no experience, we just thought the village needed a shop again, and so we thought we’d give it a go for a couple of years and then retire again.

“But we’ve had a fantastic time - we’ve enjoyed it so much, but we’re not leaving the village, so we’ll see you all around.”

The new owners of the shop and post office, Phil and Larry Strange, officially take over the running of the premises on Monday, April 8.