I WANT TO POUCH OFF HERE

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The post office curry house

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/ne ... _house.php

CUSTOMERS will soon be able to buy a Chicken Korma together with a first class stamp after a post office curry house opened this week.

The unusual venture in a former cricket club building in Frank Street, Barnoldswick, is thought to be the only one of its kind in the country.

Postmaster Enuyat Vali has moved the town's main office into the new premises where the business has been integrated with an Indian restaurant and takeaway.
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And though the culinary side of the venture is not yet up and running, customers were treated to a taste of what's to come on Wednesday in the shape of onion bhajis and samosas made by the eatery's new chef.

The former cricket club building has been split into three sections, with the post office and takeaway sharing the ground floor and a 60-cover restaurant upstairs.

The two will be further integrated with a voucher scheme, which will reward loyal customers at the counter with discounts on dining and takeouts.

Mr Vali said that putting the two businesses together under one roof would safeguard the post office's survival. He said that Post Office bosses have told him it was an excellent example of how branches could diversify to survive and were considering using the restaurant for conferences in the area.

Mr Vali, who received flowers and gifts from local customers at the grand opening, said: "We've had a really good response from people and they're glad we're strengthening the business, with all the dark clouds that have been hanging over post offices recently.

"This will hopefully reassure Barnoldswick people that their post office service will stay here for a long time."

He also believes that mixing spices with stamps will help to bring more trade to Barnoldswick retailers.

He said: "It will bring the post office customers to the town centre as they're more likely to use other shops, rather than just parking outside the Co-op and popping across the road to get their car tax."

Pendle's mayor Allan Buck attended the opening to mark the borough council's support for the scheme.

He said: "I also welcome the development coming into Barnoldswick and look forward to the new restaurant and takeaway opening.

"It's nice to see people believing in Barnoldswick and investing in the town. I wish them all the best for the future."

When it opens in October, the restaurant will serve food based on the traditional dishes of central India, rather than the more common Northern Indian cuisine.

Meanwhile, bookies Ladbrokes are expected to move into the old post office premises on Fernlea Aveneue shortly.

3:29pm today

[POSTMAN]

Teebs it's in the post office news forum,but never mind.
Mines a Vindaloo.