Hove: Portland Road Post Office family celebrate 50 years

When Narotam Patel and his wife Rama opened the doors of their Post Office in Portland Road, Hove, for the first time in 1974, it was National Insurance stamps, pensions and child benefit books, green giros and telegrams they handed over to customers.  

Fifty years on, the post office is now owned by their son Amit Patel and the traditional processes that remain now sit alongside digital transactions and tablets.

What has stayed the same over the five decades that have passed is the dedication to the local community, the essential services all provided under one roof and the face-to-face support and interactions.

Amit and his family will mark the golden anniversary of their post office, also known as W H Payne, by hosting a gathering at the branch for the community at the end of this month.

Narotam and Rama Patel in the Seventies pictured with their children several years after taking over the running of the Post Office (Image: Submitted)

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Amit Patel said: “When my parents first opened the business in 1974, family members came together to help with running it, this included my paternal grandfather, aunts and uncles.

“I also spent time in the branch, often after school, helping my Mum and Dad to run the business. This post office has been run by my grandparents, my parents and now myself - three generations of the same family.” 

Amit Patel pictured inside one of the original W H Payne vans (Image: Submitted)

Once Narotam was ready to retire, Amit took over the family business in 2012, with his wife Nadya.

Amit said: "The legacy of Portland Road Post Office is one of commitment to our community.

“For three generations, our family has been privileged to serve our neighbours and businesses.

“The Post Office is part of my DNA, I grew up in the branch and watched my family take pride in supporting the local community.

Amit has some great memories from the Post Office and recalls them fondly.

Narotam Patel and Rama Patel, pictured with their children shortly after taking over the premises (Image: Submitted)

He said: “A lot of foreign students used to come to the shop to buy stationery, including Parker pens which were big business in those days.

“My grandfather Kanjibhai always used to talk to all the students in their language – he seemed to have learnt words from every language in the world.

“I also enjoyed how busy the shop would get around bonfire night as we would empty out all the cabinets to fill them with fireworks to sell. Christmas was always busy too.

“The shop and storage rooms were like a playground for us kids (seven of us – me, my siblings and cousins grew up in that building). My children still use the shop as their playground – bikes, rollerskates, footballs, skateboards, paper aeroplanes every evening after the shop is shut.”

Narotam Patel and Rama Patel pictured with Amit in 2024, celebrating 50 years (Image: Post Office)

Amit added:  "I am proud to work alongside my family and a team that shares our vision and values, ensuring that the branch remains a trusted and reliable resource for the community.

"We look forward to continuing this for another 50 years.”

Amit and his family will be hosting a gathering with food and drinks for the local community to enjoy and celebrate the golden anniversary of the branch on Saturday, March 30 from 2pm.