Big-hearted Manish Patel and wife Trupti are set to retire from Shotley Stores and Post Office on Thursday.

Although a new owner will step in immediately, the move marks the end of an era as the Patel family has run the much-loved community business for coming up to 29 years.

In June, 2020, Manish and his family distributed Sweet Diwali Treats to the entire village as a thanks to the community for supporting the shop and post office for 25 years.

Wonderful gesture by 'fantastic' village postmaster's family

Manish admitted it was going to be a wrench stepping down but insisted the time was right so he and Trupti could spend more time with the whole family.

The shop and post office will be closed on Friday, March 22 until 2pm for the official hand over stock take, and new owner Perampalam Pakkiyarajah re-opening in the afternoon.

"It is not really a sad day, it is more a new beginning for the village. " Manish told Nub News.. "I'm sure the guy taking over will be liked by the village because he is a good person.

"He is moving to the village with his family (wife and two daughters) so he will be among us."

"When I first started the process of retiring it was very much a feeling of 'I have had enough, it is time to finish now' but now the process is almost at an end I do have mixed feelings of emotions."

Community awards winner (Picture: Nub News)

The Patel family has run Shotley Stores and Post Office since 1995 when Manish's Postmaster father moved up from Fulham.

Manish took on a post office/shop in Ipswich before eventually taking over from his dad at Kingsland.

He and his wife Trupti have been at the heart of the community ever since.

The couple have supported Shotley Primary and St Mary's Church in many ways, have donated funds to get better play equipment for Shotley children and stepped up superbly during Covid, when staff took orders and delivered shopping to vulnerable people in the village.

And who can forget the amazing 'thank you' gesture' in June 2020 to mark the family's 25-year anniversary at the shop.

Wonderful gesture by 'fantastic' village postmaster's family

Manish recalled: "That was a time when the village needed a feel good feeling, and that did it. It was the right thing to do for many reasons, as a thanks to the village, but also to help cheer people up as much as we could."

There have been many, many good times for Manish within the village and some dark days.

He said: "Covid was the worst time in our 29 years, it was very tough for everyone."

Another difficult time was when Manish took over from his dad Chandrakant and extended the shop 17 years ago.

"The original shop was just not large enough so we needed to do it," said Manish, "but it was a stressful time, especially the couple of months it took to do, but it was well worth it."

Then there was his dabble at running a Pizza Parlour, which ended early.

Manish Patel Suffolk Business in the Community Award winner 2021 (Picture: Nub News)

Manish admitted: "I made a mistake with that. I did not research enough and I have to accept I made mistake with that one.

"However, we now use the space as part of the shop and that has been a success, so it worked out."

There have been many good time though, and he smiles as he recalls taking over from his dad.

"The best thing was actually taking over the shop from my father, because he did not want to retire and he certainly did not want anyone else thing it over. He was worried what would happen to the shop for the community and when we took over he was able to retire without a problem."

Shotley Post Office and Stores was also mentioned in the report that names the Shotley peninsula as one of the best places to live in the UK, for the second time in three years, and Manish has no doubt why we keep winning that accolade.

"It is because we have that close knit community spirit," said Manish. "A lot of places miss what we have.

"We have many people, community organisations and groups that want to do the best for the village. These are people who care about our community and and are ready to do things for the community.

"We have large amount of loyal customer and I'm sure they will support the new guy. He just needs change to move in and become part of the village."

While Manish and Trupti officially leave on Thursday, they will still be seen around the village with mother Kolika, but he wanted to pass on his gratitude to everyone in the village, which he will also try to do in person.

"We want to thank everyone in the village," said Manish. "We will be doing that this week as people come in, but thank you everyone for your support."

He added: "We will be out walking so we will probably bump into even more people around the village now."

Cllr Derek Davis (right) with the Patel family in 2020 (Picture: Nub News)

Babergh district councillor Derek Davis who represents Ganges ward (which covers Shotley and Erwarton) thanked Manish and Trupti for their service to the community.

"Manish and his family, and indeed staff, are absolute legends," said Cllr Davis. "On top of all the wonderful things they have done publicly, there is even more gone on quietly behind the senes as they have served pr community supply for more than a quarter of a century.

"The village shop and post office is at the heart of our community and they will be missed by many for sure.

"However the baton has been passed on and it is up to us as villagers to support the new owners."

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Wonderful gesture by 'fantastic' village postmaster's family