When Mohammed Sarwar left school, there was little doubt in anybody’s mind as to what he would do next. Having grown up in a family of retailers, he quickly learned the value of good, old-fashioned graft, often helping out in the store when school was out.

It’s been 35 years since Mohammed formally joined his family business in Perthshire.

“I started shelf packing,” Mohammed remembered. “Slowly, I worked my way up to become a partner in the business. My first store was a convenience grocer, which I ran with my father. In 2005, we acquired our first Post Office.”

The Blairgowrie Post Office, which Mohammed has run since August 2018, is his third.

Changing minds

Initially, there were mixed reactions to the news that the Post Office would be moving to the Premiere Main.

“The old Post Office was much bigger,” Mohammed explained. “People were concerned that the queue would be out of the door during busy periods and at Christmas.”

But it hasn’t taken long for locals to get used to the change.

“We’ve proved them wrong,” Mohammed smiled. “All I’ve had is positive feedback since we actually opened. It’s not the size of the Post Office, it’s how you operate it. You can have four counters but only two people manning them. We only have two counters, yes, but no matter what, they are always manned, one member of staff each. It’s nice, compact and efficient.

“With each branch I’ve taken over, the previous owners were ready to leave the network, so communities would have lost their Post Offices.”

A social mission

“We definitely make a lot of effort to help the elderly,” he said. “Lots of older people can’t use the internet, so it’s about really taking the time and making the effort to help them. The job gives me a lot of satisfaction in that way. I know I’ve helped people.” While Mohammed loves the meaningful side of postmaster life, he’s quick to point out other upsides, too. Sales in his Premier are up 10 to 15 per cent, a rise he attributes directly to the increased footfall brought by the addition of Post Office services.

Stand-out service

Ensuring a quick and friendly service isn’t the only trick up Mohammed’s sleeve.

“I’ve invested a lot in complementary services,” he said. “For example, we have a service where people fill out passport forms, so I’ve invested in photography equipment. When a customer comes in for a form, we can take their photos too. We’re giving them the full package, as well as increasing our revenue potential.”

This type of savvy entrepreneurship makes Mohammed the perfect candidate to advise prospective and newer postmasters.

“Communicate!” Mohammed said, instantly. “If there’s a flash sale on currency exchange, tell (your customers).

“Our store has a competitive edge because it is a Post Office, but also because of the effort we put into the way it looks. It’s well-lit, clean and tidy and clearly looked after. Customers often say that the shelves are so tidy it seems like no-one has come in!”