A new team is now running the Westbourne Post Office after South Coast Retail expanded into eight former directly managed branches across the South West.
The company, led by Bournemouth postmaster Liam Searle, recently took on sites in Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire and Dorset, including Westbourne at the end of October.
Liam, who already operated several Dorset branches, said the move required careful planning. His partner, Dr Siobhan Neave, left her role as a chartered psychologist to support the recruitment needed for the expansion. She shortlisted and interviewed applicants, looking at skills, resilience and how people would work together.
Siobhan said they considered the needs of each location to ensure the right fit. She said some applicants had Post Office experience, while others brought transferable skills, and decisions focussed on creating teams that could support each other.
Liam said they wanted to keep a family feel to the business and now have cluster managers overseeing different areas. Staff use a company-wide messaging group to share questions and knowledge so colleagues can help each other.
The couple said new recruits are settling in well ahead of the busy Christmas period, with additional cover arranged to support teams.
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