A LONG-SERVING postmaster in South Cerney is to retire with a store refurbishment planned under new management.

South Cerney postmaster Selena Kingsbury and her husband Charles are to retire after over 33 years loyal service to their community.

The post office will be refurbished to become a local style branch alongside a café and deli and will re-open under a new postmaster.

The premises at Clarks Hay, South Cerney, will temporarily close on Friday, May 14, at 5.30pm and is due to re-open on Wednesday, June 2, at 1pm.

Selena Kingsbury has been postmaster of South Cerney Post Office for 33 years, alongside her husband Charles who looked after the newsagent as well as assisting with the post office.

The dedicated couple said their time at Clarks Hay had been ‘marvellous’. Selena said they had spent the last 33 years “working in a lovely place surrounded by lovely people.”

Reflecting on their time in the village, the owners said they feel incredibly lucky to be part of South Cerney and extended their thanks to the villagers who had supported them throughout the years.

Selena said: “The village is like family; we really are part of the community. We have three generations of customers and we remember them all.”

Charles added that some of their first paperboys have had children who, many years later, did their own paper rounds for the branch.

The couple are at the centre of the community in the village near Cirencester.

Charles said it was not uncommon for people to come into the shop just to have a chat with the couple, especially during the past year.

He said: “People really trust us at the post office, they know we will be here if and when they need us.”

Clarkes Hay will be refurbished and incorporate a coffee shop and delicatessen offering local produce alongside the post office, by incoming postmaster Iona Richardson.

The long serving owners wished Iona every success, and said they were delighted the post office would remain open in South Cerney under such an enthusiastic new owner.

Selena and Charles will remain local to South Cerney as they will continue to live in the building the post office is located in.

Selena is looking forward to spending her retirement gardening, whilst Charles is planning on becoming a regular in the new café.

Scott Lacey, post office network provision lead, said: “We thank Selena and Charles Kingsbury for their loyal service to South Cerney and we wish them a happy, well-earned retirement.

“The store needs to temporarily close for refurbishment before re-opening as a local branch. The new-look branch will be open for longer hours than before.”

During the refit alternative post office branches include Siddington Post Office, Siddington, Cirencester, GL7 6HE and Cirencester Post Office, 19-21 Castle Street, Cirencester, GL7 1QD.

There will be new post office opening hours from Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm and Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm.