A FORMER pub has been turned into a new, expanded Post Office and is already helping local charities.
MP Jonathan Reynolds cut the ribbon on the Shaw Hall facility, which is also a shop, in what was the Clarence Hotel in the Newton area of Hyde.
And Postmaster Vinay Parekh and his brother Mitesh wasted no time in helping good causes.
For the opening event supported Millstream Animal Shelter, Sandwich Angels and the Mayor’s Charity.
Vinay was already Postmaster for Shaw Hall Post Office at smaller premises across Talbot Road.
He lost out when the former pub originally went to market, but when it went back up, the brothers were not beaten.
Now the downstairs of the new premises is 20 times the size of the previous Shaw Hall Post Office, which had a small amount of retail.
Part two of the project, which has retained much of the exterior, is transforming the hotel accommodation upstairs into flats.
Vinay said: “We are delighted that our dream of owning the former Clarence Hotel has become a reality as it gave us the necessary space to develop the retail side of the business alongside the essential Post Office.
“A growing amount of our work is personal and business banking for all the high street banks, with so many banks having closed.
“We are lucky to have a car park at the back of the premises as well as parking with no restrictions all around. This really makes it convenient for customer to easily pop in to send or collect parcels and do home shopping returns, bill payments, or pre-order currencies.
“We have retained the charm of this building and combined it with a modern, well-laid out and fully stocked store.
“It really lives up to its name of being a One Stop store with everything under one roof.”
Jonathan Reynolds added: “I want to congratulate Vinay and Mitesh Parekh on their impressive new Post Office and One Stop store, which mutually support each other.
“The Post Office provides vital services to a community and brings footfall into a store and good retail supports the Post Office. It’s a win-win situation.”
Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Tafheen Sharif, said: “This great-looking shop and Post Office have breathed new life into Newton.
“There is a real buzz of excitement in this community that this empty premises has been put to such good use.”
Vinay, who has been a Postmaster for 25 years, and brother Mitesh, started out in business together.
They currently have eight One Stop franchise stores, four of which have a Post Office.
Vicki Patching, Post Office Area Manager, said: “We are delighted that Shaw Hall Post Office is now in fantastic new premises with sufficient retail space for Vinay and Mitesh to really grow their business in Newton.”