Popular shop owners Surinderpal and Kamaljit Sandhu are to retire after 37 years in the village of Allhallows.

Known as Paul and Carmel by customers, the couple took on the village shop in 1985 when it was half the size of the current Londis store and post office in Avery Way.

The hard-workers took on the shop next door, and then later applied to take on responsibilities for the Post Office when the village postmaster wanted to retire in 1998.

The community submitted a successful petition to get the Post Office added to the Sandhu’s Londis convenience store in the heart of the village and the couple remain thankful of that support to this day.

Paul and Carmel, who are both in their 70s, retired on Wednesday and handed over responsibilities to Rajankumar Patel and Brijeshkumar Patel, who are from an experienced postmaster family from Dartford.

Son, Mandeep Sandhu, who also works in the Post Office and shop, was just one when his parents took on the business, and his older brother Ram has also worked there until 2009.

Mandeep said: “My parents have always talked fondly about the support they got from the community when they set up the shop. My mum had to look after two children and dad was juggling a job at a factory as well as the shop to help to build the business.

"My parents were also really chuffed when the community got behind them and campaigned to help get them the Post Office.”

Paul said: “The favourite thing about running his shop and Post Office has been the people we have met. Customers have been so supportive.”

During the pandemic business rocketed as residents chose to shop in the village, while the business has always benefited from the proximity of the Haven Holiday Park, before it closed, and the nearby beach, which has remained a popular destination.

The shopkeepers managed to respond to the extra demand for food during the pandemic, while simultaneously coping with extra pressures on the Post Office, brought about by people working from home.

Post Office area manager, Sarah Hawkins, said: “The community made a very good choice backing the opening of a Post Office at the Sandhu’s store. They have been loyal, friendly and professional. I want to thank Paul and Carmel for their hard-work over all these years. I wish them a very well-earned retirement.”

Paul and Carmel are looking forward to being able to spend more time with their grandchildren and to have time to start hobbies.

"My parents were also really chuffed when the community got behind them and campaigned to help get them the Post Office.”

Mandeep is also looking forward to some quality time with his wife and children.

News of the Sandhus departure, follows the retirement of two other long-standing shopkeeping families in Medway this month.

Last week the Amin family retired from running newsagents at Newlands in Rochester High Street after 32 years at the shop, while earlier this month the Singh family left SS Mini Market in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, after 40 years.

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