Owner of Thurlby Post Office and Store is Citizen of the Week

A shop owner has been hailed by village residents for playing an integral role in the community.

Coronavirus lockdown has resulted in people flocking to supermarkets in their masses.

But residents of Thurlby have instead been making the most of Pav Samra’s village shop and post office.

Pav, who runs Thurlby Post Office and Store, has been ensuring that members of the community are able to get food and drinks as well as their weekly newspaper.

At the beginning of lockdown, Pav vowed to offer free home delivery to vulnerable people.

Pav, 29, said: “It has been very hard work at the moment.

“Obviously with Bourne Post Office closing and all the other post offices closing, we have been very busy.

“It’s a lot harder doing home delivery, it’s been kind of crazy since day one.

“I’ve been up working from five in the morning to seven at night.”

Despite the long hours Pav has one thing in particular which helps keep him motivated.

Pav said: “Thurlby has got a lot of elderly residents and I understand how some are struggling with things everyday, even before this started.

“They will be a lot worse now with no help from others.

“That’s what keeps me going, just to give back to them.”

He added: “Another reason that motivates me is so people realise how vital smaller, village shops are.”

Each week Pav - with help from his mum and wife - has been delivering shopping to 50 Thurlby residents.

Pav, who took over the shop 11 years ago, said: “As a kid a lot of my extended family members always ran shops.

“When I was growing up I thought it was something I always wanted to do myself.”

Angela Gedney, who nominated Pav for the award which is sponsored by Peterborough Regional College, said: “They all are really helpful to their customers and have been meeting customers’ needs the best they can during this pandemic.

“Nothing is too much trouble for them.

“If a customer needs any help with anything, Pav and the family will always try and find a solution, whether that be delivering shopping to customers or making some delicious home-made curries that customers can buy - a welcome treat on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening.”

She added: “They are a nice family and I just think sometimes we need to recognise them.

“We just take for granted the little shops in villages as they are always there, but we need to say thank
you.”

Pav will receive a £25 gift card as a prize and is our 10th - and final - Citizen of the Week.