The new team at the Portway Post Office say they are open and have been getting stuck in to providing a full service for Frome residents.
The post office, located at 2 Portway, has been taken on by Samantha Baker, who is running the service with three staff members.
With 20 years’ experience in running and owning post offices, Samantha has managed a Crown Post Office (a larger branch usually found on high streets) and has also owned other post offices, including Rode Post Office, which she has now transferred to her daughter. She has also been a post office auditor and trainer.
“It has been going really well. A lot of people still don’t know we are open, so we want to get the word out that we are here and we are not going anywhere,” explained Samantha, who took over the Portway Post Office in the summer.
It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 12.30pm. It offers a wide range of services, including passport applications, driving licences, DVLA photocard renewals, vehicle tax, travel services, and more.
“We will also be offering DPD and Evri services but are just waiting for the system to be set up for that,” says Samantha.
“A lot of people come in and they think we are closing down because I do things differently. I like a clear access view through the post office and all the stationery and cards go towards the edges, rather than in the middle. We are waiting for a refit of all the cards. I have got some new shelving coming at the end of November, so that is going to look really nice.”
The team is about to enter their busiest period of the year with Christmas next month. “We just want people to know we are here, we are open, and we are staying here permanently,” says Samantha.
“Frome is a lovely place. We get lots of recurring customers, a lot of new ones and a lot who have not been in for months. I could not run this service without my amazing team of staff who are all fantastic.”
Pictured: Samantha Baker and Indya Few
