05
Jun
Harrogate man celebrates 50th year as local postmaster
A Harrogate man is marking his 50th anniversary as a postmaster.
Ian Bainbridge, who runs the Oatlands Mount Post Office on Leeds Road, began his career at his parents' Post Office in 1974.
But after taking over the Harrogate branch in 1987, Mr Bainbridge has since garnered attention for the models sold in his shop.
The upper floor of the Post Office was converted into a shop, which now houses Harrogate Models. Mr Bainbridge stocks model trains, cars, planes, boats and remote control vehicles alongside stationery and cards.
He said:
I managed to stay open throughout the pandemic and it was really busy. Customers wanted to send parcels to people that they could not see and do home shopping returns.
People also had a lot more time on their hands to make model kits, or to enjoy remote control vehicles, so we sold a lot more on the model side of the business with both existing and new customers.
Parents wanted something that their children could do, rather than being on their electronic devices all the time, so they suggested hobbies that they had enjoyed as children. People also looked for something to do other than jigsaw puzzles with their unexpected spare time.
The 67-year-old originally had plans to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a pilot, but when his parents needed help managing their Leeds Post Office, his career path changed.
Mr Bainbridge added:
I have really enjoyed my time serving Post Office customers and running Harrogate Models and getting to know people better.
Many people that I have served have become friends. There is always new people popping in from across the UK, as there are not as many model shops these days.
Mr Bainbridge has been awarded a Post Office 50 Years’ Long Service Award.
Post Office area manager, Amy Hart, also said:
I want to sincerely thank Ian for serving Post Office customers for five decades. He has been at the heart of this Oatlands Mount for 37 years providing a great service for the local community, but with the retail side of Ian’s business, people also travel here from far and wide.
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