Young Lancs entrepreneur transforms post office into community hub

A post office in Waterfoot, Lancashire, has been transformed into a community hub and milkshake bar after being taken over by young entrepreneur Fahid Ahsan.

The 24 year old purchased the property and carried out a full refurbishment with the help of a six-figure funding package provided by Yorkshire Bank.

Following the revamp, Fahid will operate his milkshake business Strawz from the post office, which he believes will encourage more young people to come and learn about the store’s full range of services.

Further, Fahid has extended the post office’s opening hours and plans to introduce a prescription delivery service.

Fahid, who worked at his family’s post office for five years, said: “With the post office, I am looking to create a hub for the community where everyone has access to a range of services in one location.

“The milkshake bar will capture our younger audience’s attention, the extended opening times enable working families to carry out errands and the prescription delivery service will be a big help for some of our older customers.”

The funding deal was arranged by Matt Anderton, a relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s Preston-based business and private banking centre.

Stewart Cook, the centre’s head, commented: “Fahid is an ambitious young entrepreneur who has used the Bank’s support to breathe new life into the post office, incorporating services that will benefit the entire community.

“We are proud to have supported Fahid’s first business acquisition and look forward to continuing to support him in the future.”

The post office currently employs three people, but Fahid plans to grow the team over the coming year. Following the acquisition, the site’s previous manager will continue to help Fahid with the day-to-day running of the company.