A family shop which opened its doors 100 years ago has entered a new era as a Post Office.
Senghenydd’s new branch is in the Cavanna Convenience Store, in Commercial Street, and received its official opening last Friday with Caerphilly MP Wayne David and AM Jeff Cuthbert cutting the ribbon with members of the Cavanna family.
The Cavanna name has long been associated with shops in Senghenydd. The store on Commercial Street first opened its doors over 100 years ago, and it continues to be run by the same family today.
Annlouise Cavanna, Senghenydd Post Office’s new operator said: “My grandfather started working in this shop when he was thirteen, over 100 years ago, since then four generations of Cavanna’s have run this shop. My mum, Angela, my sister, Cristina, my niece Emma and I all are all delighted that we can now offer our customers a Post Office service.
“John and Fay Davies, the previous Subpostmaster and his wife have retired and it’s great that we were successful in our bid to take-on the Post Office. We’ve also completely refurbished the shop and now stock a wide range of convenience goods. It’s a total transformation. We love it and so do our customers.”
John and Fay Davies, the previous Subpostmaster and his wife who ran the Post Office on High Street have now retired.
Wayne David MP said: “I am delighted to be opening the new Post Office in Senghenydd. The Cavanna Store is one of the original Italian ‘Bracchi’ stores in South Wales and it’s really good that it is now going to be the local Post Office as well. This is good news for the people of Senghenydd.”
Jeff Cuthbert AM said: “I welcome the modernisation, investment and longer opening hours available to customers at the Cavanna Convenience Store. The newly refurbished buildings stocked with a variety of items will, I’m sure, cater for the needs of the community and I wish the new management of the Post Office every success for the future.”
Post Office Regional Network Manager, Tony Jones said: “I’d like to wish Annlouise and her family every success in their new venture. We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in the area and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.
He added: “This modernisation is part of a three-year investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office, that will see around 6000 branches (about half the Post Office network) converting to new-style branches. This investment makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”
Opening hours at the new location will be 7.30am to 7.30pm between Monday and Saturday. On Sundays, the Post Office will be open between 8am and 1.30pm and 5pm and 7pm.