A HEART radio Wales DJ was part of the celebrations into a post office described as the ‘heart of the community’ returning to full time hours.
DJ Simon Jagger is part of the twosome Jagger and Woody on radio Heart Wales drive time, but on May 13, Mr Jagger had an extra job on his list – cutting the ribbon to celebrate Rhoose post office returning to full time hours.
New postmistress, Cerian, who loves listening to Jagger and Woody, cheekily asked Mr Jagger if he could give a call out for her shop on the show, but DJ Jagger went one better, and offered to do an official opening.
In February 2023, Cerian and husband, Joel, took over the shop on Fontygary Road, Rhoose, after the previous full-time Postmaster had to suddenly retire due to ill-health.
The Post Office appointed an interim postmistress to restore Post Office services to the community, but this was only on a part-time basis, then Cerian and Joel took over the store permanently.
Cerian was brought up in the neighbouring village of St Athan. Joel had previously run a popular green grocers’ shop in Cowbridge, so they were well-known in the area.
They heard about the Post Office and shop opportunity in Rhoose and they were ready for a fresh challenge.
Focussing on improving the retail side of the business, the couple have completely transformed the retail offering with fresh local fruit and vegetables, fresh bread from local bakeries and local produce including jams.
Cerian has become the permanent postmistress and the couple employ three local people to work with them in the Post Office and shop.
Joel also supplies fruit and vegetables to local pubs, restaurants and schools.
Cerian, whose background includes working in pubs and training to be a manager with SPAR, said she was delighted with the reaction to the couple taking over the Post Office.
“The amount of positive comments that we have received about all the changes to the shop have been very heart-warming,” said Cerian.
“The community is really delighted to have a full-time Post Office again.”
On DJ Jagger celebrating opening the store, Cerian said: “I am so thrilled that DJ Jaggers did our official opening. I love listening to his banter with Woody. They really make me laugh. I cracked open the prosecco for my customers to mark the special occasion.”
On the Rhoose store, Annete Thomas, Post Office business support manager, said: “Cerian and Joel have done a great job transforming the retail side of the business and I am delighted that they have become the new, permanent owners of Rhoose Post Office, providing much needed, full-time Post Offices services to the community.”
The branch has gone from being open 21 hours a week to more than 40. The new opening hours are: Monday to Friday: 9.30am – 5pm; Saturday: 9am – 12 noon.
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