Witham MP Priti Patel, visited Kelvedon Post Office to meet with Postmaster Mr Visakesasarma Kurmarasamisarma, known as Kumar, as well as Post Office head of public affairs and policy Jack Foden, and Tom McCarthy from Buy Into Retail.
Kumar, who purchased the post office in the village a year and a half ago, was born in Sri Lanka and moved to the UK in 2005. Since arriving here, Kumar has established several successful businesses, also owning another retail shop and two petrol stations. During the visit and meeting, Priti, who has been a longstanding champion of postmasters and sub postmasters, spoke to Kumar about the some of the current challenges retail shops like his face, particularly in light of the new Labour government’s increased burdens on business. They also discussed the important role post offices play in local communities providing much needed access to a wide range of services, especially in light of bank branch closures, and fantastic feedback that is received about the shop in Kelvedon.
Speaking after the visit Priti said: “It was wonderful to visit Kelvedon Post Office and to meet Kumar who has brought new life into this vital village asset. Post offices are an integral part of local communities, and here in Kelvedon, it is providing residents with vital services such as access to cash and related banking services. I would like to thank Kumar for such a kind and warm welcome and visit, and for his investment in Kelvedon. Our Postmasters and mistresses do such an important job, they are hub for the community and give rural residents much needed access to vital services.”
