Highlights
- Sanquhar, world’s oldest working post office, is visited by Neil Brocklehurst
- Branch in West Scotland opened in 1712 and continuously operated for 313 years
- Brocklehurst visiting branches across the UK during first 100 days in office
- Barry and Mary Ford took on this branch in West Scotland in September 2023
- Couple are 16th owners and operators of Sanquhar post office
Sanquhar post office, which is the world’s oldest working Post Office, on Friday received a visit from Post Office chief executive Neil Brocklehurst.
Brocklehurst, who has been appointed permanent CEO for Post Office on 30 April, is visiting postmasters across the UK to mark the first 100 days in office to get the views of postmasters on transforming the organisation.
Earlier this month, the government has published a green paper, starting the first big review of Post Office in 15 years.
This month marks 390 years since the General Post Office organisation was established on 31 July 1635. There was a proclamation by King Charles 1 for a public letter-office of England and Scotland.
Sanquhar post office is accredited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest working post office. It opened in 1712 and has been in continuous operation for 313 years.
Barry and Mary Ford took over the post office in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, in September 2023. They are the 16th operator of this post office.
“Sanquhar post office is very special as it’s the world’s longest operational branch. Barry and Mary Ford are doing a tremendous job building on their post office’s unrivalled history. With all of their fascinating Post Office memorabilia they have created their own post office Museum which tourists and locals enjoy visiting. They are very entrepreneurial, and they have really seen their business grow as a result,” Brocklehurst said.
“Barry and Mary are also doing a brilliant job serving their community. They really care about their customers and community, and they go the extra mile. They’ve quickly got to know all about their post office products and services and they’ve found lots of ways to spread the word about what they offer, especially banking. With local bank branch closures, they have been able to reassure customers that they can do every day personal and business banking at Sanquhar post office.”
Second opportunity
Lincolnshire-born Barry and his wife Mary from Motherwell had been living and working in Florida for 20 years when they first heard about Sanquhar post office being up for sale in 2020. They were pipped to the post by somebody else, a deal which subsequently had fallen through. Meanwhile, Barry and Mary had returned to the UK to live in Motherwell. They leapt at the second opportunity to take on Sanquhar post office when the opportunity arose as they love history and philately and are customer-focussed.
They moved from the Sunshine State, but Barry and Mary received a very warm welcome from the people of Sanquhar. They very quickly settled in and really are at the heart of the community. Tourists also make a beeline for the historic branch.
Postmaster Barry Ford said: “We’re very pleased that Post Office CEO Neil Brocklehurst chose to visit our branch. He was genuinely interested to hear about our ideas which have really helped us to boost our business.
“We pride ourselves on first class customer service. People really value the face-to-face service and interaction. Grateful customers bake us cakes and enjoy popping in for a chat. We love it here in Sanquhar.”
Sanquhar post office
The couple have made many improvements to their branch including longer opening hours, which have seen their business grow and flourish. They have embraced the unique history of Sanquhar post office. The branch is decorated with a vintage Post Office BSA Bantam motorbike, old Post Office van, bicycle, ornate post box, and lots of other memorabilia.
Sanquhar post office is a popular attraction for postal and philatelic enthusiasts from the UK and across the globe. People can pop in to have postcards and letters stamped with the Sanquhar postmark. They also have a website www.theworldsoldestpostoffice.com
Special Sanquhar merchandise includes t-shirts and hoodies with embroidered message saying: “keeping you posted since 1712”. There are bobble hats, postcards, Christmas cards, calendars, mugs, coasters, keyrings, local history books and guidebooks, stating Sanquhar Post Office, The World’s Oldest Post Office. Barry receives photos from across the world with people wearing his Sanquhar clothing, including the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Vietnam and Florida.