Hobbycraft and Post Office have teamed up for a new partnership, opening the first Post Office branch inside a Hobbycraft store near Eastleigh and Southampton.
The mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Janice Asman, cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the branch at Hobbycraft, Gaters Mill, Mansbridge Road, West End, Southampton.
The community celebration was also attended by Alex Willson, Hobbycraft chief executive, mayoress Cllr Sarah Turl, who also represents West End, Pete Marsh, managing director, retail at Post Office and Abigail Mcgeever, strategic partnerships director at Post Office.
The new branch is on the rural outskirts of Eastleigh and Southampton inside Haskins Garden Centre. However, it is close to the M27, which makes it easy for local people and commuters to pop in and there is the benefit of free time-restricted parking on site.
“Introducing Post Office to Hobbycraft Southampton is incredibly exciting,” Darren Kay, retail director at Hobbycraft, said.
“This new partnership enables us to bring Post Office services to retail park locations and offer essential banking, mail, and travel services to the local community. Our store colleagues are eager to deliver these services alongside the expert hobby and craft guidance they provide day in, day out.”
Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Janice Asman, who represents West End South ward and also serves as a West End parish councillor, said: “The opening of Gaters Mill Post Office is a real boost to the outskirts of West End as it makes it easier for people to visit the branch where they can send and collect mail and parcels as well as doing everyday banking.”
Post Office counter in Hobbycraft Southampton
Hobbycraft is a sister company of TGJones, which is one of Post Office’s biggest retail franchise partners with 179 post offices across the UK. These are inside former WHSmith high street stores which were taken over by Modella Capital Group in June this year.
At Gaters Mill Post Office personal and business customers can do their everyday banking. Customers can also post letters and parcels including Royal Mail, Parcelforce, EVRI and DPD and collect and return online shopping items. Other services include bill payments, Dollars and Euros available on demand and pre-order for other currencies and Post Office Travel Card. Western Union money transfer will be available.
Post Office services are available throughout Hobbycraft’s opening hours: Monday – Friday: 9am – 8pm; Saturday: 9am – 6pm; Sunday: 10.30 – 4.30pm. The Post Office counter is alongside the retail counter.
Callum Bonfield, Post Office strategic partnerships manager, said: “The launch of our partnership with Hobbycraft marks an important milestone for Post Office, reinforcing our strategy of building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with leading UK retailers. This collaboration builds on the success of our thriving relationship with its sister company TGJones and reflects our commitment to refreshing our network to meet the evolving needs of customers.
“By working with Hobbycraft, we’re able to reach new customers, who will benefit from longer opening hours and free parking, making access to essential Post Office services easier and more convenient than ever. At the same time, they can enjoy the convenience of shopping for gifts, crafts, party supplies, and more within the Hobbycraft store.”
Hobbycraft was founded in 1995 by the Haskins Group, the nursery and garden supplier in the south of England and before later being sold to Modella Capital in 2024. The West End location, opened in August 1996, is Hobbycraft’s second craft store in the UK.