Owners of Newtown Road Post Office in Carlisle tend to have staying power.

Irene and Rob Rae have just retired after 43 years. The previous owners had run it for 40 years.

Will Syed Kashif Iftikha, Sameera Rasool and Amir Rasool still be there in 40 years’
time?

It’s a little early to say, as so far they have run the business for just four days.

But they are optimistic about maintaining the success of the Post Office and its shop.

It reopened last Friday, having been closed for 10 days for refurbishment.

A new Post Office counter has been installed, along with extra shelves allowing space for new lines.

These include ice-cream and takeaway coffee. There will also be more frozen and chilled foods.

Syed and Sameera are husband and wife. Amir is Sameera’s brother.

Since 2002 they have run a Costcutter convenience store 20 miles north in Ecclefechan.

So what’s the attraction of Newtown Road in Carlisle?

“It’s a busy road,” says Amir. “And because of the Post Office.”

The Post Office will be open the same hours as the rest of the shop: 6am-10pm Monday to Saturday; 8am-10pm on Sundays.

The shop will be part of the national Premier chain.


Related: Couple call it a day after running Carlisle post office for 43 years


Meanwhile, Irene and Rob Rae are planning to spend more time with their grandchildren, and to travel.

During their long stint in charge the business expanded to include a grocery, off-licence, confectionery and newsagent.

The new owners may extend the premises at the back in future.

For now they are grateful for assistance from their predecessors.

“Robert and Irene will help us for a while,” says Syed.