When I applied to take on Brodick Post Office is 2007, I had envisaged a job where I would be a fundamental part of the community and would be rewarded for all my hard work for one of the most trusted institutions in the land. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Since the closure program, Post Office Ltd has been trying to ‘persuade’ independent sub postmasters to change to a new model. Bear in mind that many of us independents have invested a huge amount of money into the business. The package they were offering might have suited a few sub post offices, but for me, the offer was insulting. They had not considered my branch’s location AT ALL, and came up with the offer based on numbers in a computer.

The long and short of it was that they were offering me less money for longer hours. Of course they were spinning it seven ways from Sunday, but that’s what it boils down to. Naturally, I said ‘no thank you’. So now they’re attempting death by stealth.

2013 Pay Cut

2014 Pay Cut

I don’t know for how much longer I can hold out. It’s despicable the way we’re being treated for investing our own savings into a British Institution. And don’t even get me started on the antiquated systems, poor products and bad customer service!

Taking on this business when I did, at the age of 36, was one of the worst decisions of my life.

Thankfully I’ve got great staff and some great customers.