Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has visited Ridgewood Post Office to meet its new owners.

Jon and Sue Gothard have lived and worked at the Post Office for 34 years and have been at the centre of the community. After they decided to retire, Ridgewood Post Office was put on the market.

The branch is newly owned and currently run by Paulsanthan and Rohani Amirthaponkalan, and their young daughter Amelia, who took over the branch earlier this month.

Nus has long worked with several communities across Wealden to keep Wealden’s Post Offices open and she is committed to continue to campaign to keep our local Post Office branches and outreach services operating. Previously, three other Post Office services were under threat of closure in Hailsham, Groombridge and Mayfield, and Nus has successfully fought for them to remain open. 

Nus Ghani said: “The Post Office provides vital services to Wealden residents and they are especially key in rural constituencies such as Wealden. I am aware of the challenges that our local Post Office branches have faced throughout the pandemic and that many have been forced to take steps to reduce their services. I am pleased that usual services have begun to be restored throughout the constituency. Ridgewood Post Office is key to the community and I am delighted that it can continue to thrive under the management of the Amirthaponkalan family.”