Heacham Post Office set to close in August next year as family retires amid ‘declining business’

A village post office which has been run by the same family since 1964 has been put up for sale due to “declining” business and retirement.

Heacham Post Office, along with the five-bedroom property that it is located in, has been put on the market for £750,000.

Subpostmistress Sally Partyka, who has held her title since 2019 but has been running the post office for longer, said that her parents who live in the property wish to downsize.

She added in a statement that the three-generation family business has been “declining for many years now” and it has been “tough to keep going”.

The post office will remain open until August 5 next year, unless the property sells before then. The owners say the premises will not reopen as a post office in future.

In a statement on Heacham Post Office’s social media, Mrs Partyka said: “Heacham Post Office has been in my family since 1964 and seen three generations as postmasters, however, the time has come for us to close the business.

“My parents, who live in the property, are now at a time in their lives where they wish to downsize to have their privacy and the space to enjoy their retirement, therefore the property is going on the market.”

The third-generation postmaster said that they have lost business due to pensions going directly into banks and bills being paid by direct debit.

She added: “The post office business has been declining for many years now and of recent times has become particularly tough to keep going.

“Car tax was another big part of our business that most people now do online; postage is even being done online, with people just dropping them off with us, then a year ago the postmen were taken away and moved to Hunstanton.

“We are paid solely on what we do and it’s hit us extremely hard, and so the business is no longer viable.”

The five-bedroom detached house with commercial premises is currently listed on Rightmove for £750,000.

The property was built circa 1911 and Heacham Post Office comprises a shop, two offices and a rear entrance - the property description suggests this area could be used as an Airbnb or a holiday let.

Outside, there are extensive outbuildings including a double garage, carport, various stores, two toilets, parking and gardens.