The world’s oldest Post Office in Sanquhar, Dumfries, and Galloway is about to close after more than 300 years.
Sanquhar Post Office – the world’s first Post Office – was opened in 1712 in Sanquhar, Dumfries, and Galloway.
However, after 300 years, the Post Office is about to close as the owners of the Post Office are planning to retire.
In 2015, the Post Office was about to close but 77-year-old Dr. Manzoor Alam and his 67-year-old wife Nazra took over the Post Office.
But now the couple wants to retire and are searching for a new owner.
Nazra said: “It’s breaking my heart but I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. If my health was better I’d carry on but I’ve got to call it a day now – it’s really sad.”
“It served the community well. It’s up for sale and I’ve put in my notice with the Post Office. At the end of May should be my last working day. What happens between now and then we’ll just take it as it comes.”
“It’d be nice if we could find a buyer. We’re doing it because my husband’s and my health isn’t great. Next year it’ll be five years since we’ve had it.
I’d hate to think it’ll shut down and become a supermarket or something. The last four years was remarkable, every bit of it.”
The Post Office is a tourist attraction for stamp collectors and a lifeline for the elderly who collect their pensions.
Chairman of Sanquhar and District Community Council, Duncan Close, has assured that they will do everything to find a buyer.
He said: “We called a public meeting to discuss the matter and see what we can do. We will do everything we can to ensure the place does find a buyer.”
“We’re sorry to see them go but it’s sad at the same time to think we could lose our Post Office.”
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