BIG changes are in the pipeline for Tavistock Post Office, following a major investment by new owner Ravi Jhangiani. Mr Jhangiani, who already owns two other post office enterprises in West Hoe and Stonehouse in Plymouth, has big plans for the Tavistock business, which is set to expand considerably in both floor space, staff and opening hours. In addition to the usual post office business, a Spar supermarket is opening on the site. Hours of business are increasing too ? already, the post office has extended its hours to 8.30am until 5.30pm, six days a week. Once the shop is up and running, it will be open from 7am until 10pm, seven days a week. Staff will also increase, from eight to approximately 25 once the shop development is complete. Most of the staff are new and are currently undergoing training. Mr Jhangiani, 53, said: ?They are coping wonderfully well with the changes ? they are being fantastic, I can?t praise them highly enough.? Mr Jhangiani, who took over at Tavistock at the beginning of September, said he and his wife are looking forward to their new challenge. ?This is very much a family business and we?ve not invested in this lightly ? it?s our biggest investment to date,? said Mr Jhangiani. ?Part of me is very excited about it, part of me is a little nervous ? but perhaps that?s a good thing.? Mr Jhangiani said customers should be reassured that the changes would make no difference to the services presently available in the post office. ?Every service that was offered before will continue ? if anything, we would hope to add to them,? he said. ?We very much believe in customer service, it?s our number one priority. If someone came into the shop and asked us to order something specifically, we will do that, even if it?s just for that one customer. ?It?s nice to be part of a community ? we are not some big anonymous company, we are very much a family company and we want to be part of the local community.? The new shop will be ?much bigger and brighter? and will sell a full range of goods, including alcohol, and will also be equipped with an in-store bakery. The new manager is already a familiar face to Tavistock Post Office customers. Mary Matthews, who has worked at the post office for nine years, will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the business. Mr Jhangiani said: ?From the first day when we came to talk to the staff about what was happening, Mary has been very positive and supportive. It was very good for me to know I had local support.? Mrs Matthews, who lives in Tavistock, said: ?I?m really looking forward to the job and to everything being finished. ?I know sometimes people worry about change but I think when people see the new shop, they are going to be very impressed ? certainly the reaction generally is very good and people are being very patient with the new staff.? Construction work has already started on the Listed building and it is hoped the post office will be moved into its new position by mid October. The shop is due to open at the beginning of November.
