‘It’s emotional’ - Meet the Birmingham postmistress who has retired after 48 years

She’s been serving customers at the same post office in a Birmingham neighbourhood since 1991.

And before that Mandy Multani worked at Wolverhampton Crown Post Office from 1977. Now it’s time for Mandy to call the last post at Lindsworth Post Office on Lindsworth Approach in Kings Norton as she looks forward to her retirement - but admits, it’s emotional to leave the job she loves.

She’s survived a near death experience during Covid and has been delighted to receive so many fond farewells. It’s a particularly sad end of an era as the Post Office Mandy has worked and lived above for so long. However the Post Office has pledged that it is restoring a service there, and has advertised a job.

Mandy said: “I can genuinely say that I have been very happy and content with my career serving Post Office customers. I started as a Post Office employee in Wolverhampton, then there was a chance to take on my own Post Office in Lindsworth, with accommodation, which was great for working and raising my family.

“Customers are like my extended family and I have great rapport. I’m really emotional to be leaving. Customers have been very generous with their cards, gifts and kind words. I have been overwhelmed. I have lots of flowers and even a tree planted in the Heart of England Forest marking my retirement.

“Elderly customers, who I have not seen for a number of years as their family come in on their behalf, have been coming here, being pushed in wheelchairs or with walking frames as they wanted to see me in person to chat, say thank you and to say goodbye before I retire – that has been so humbling.

“I managed to keep the Post Office during Covid and it was really busy, however, I got really ill. I was rushed to hospital where medics advised that I had just two hours left to live as I had Covid, pneumonia and septicaemia. Somehow, I pulled through, spurred on by my elderly Father that I needed to care for, but my health has not been the same since.

“I am proud that my Post Office is known for its five-star reviews for the past 12 years, all bar one which, annoyingly, related to when I was at a wedding and a relief Postmaster was covering for me. My aim has always been to improve my customers day with great service, a smile for everyone and humour and banter for my regular customers. I have as much enthusiasm for serving my customers as when I first started, but it is time for me to retire, due to my health.”

Mandy and her husband are looking forward to having time to travel and plan to visit their daughter who lives in America in North Carolina. Her son still lives in Lindsworth, so she will still visit the area regularly and will have a chance to see former customers too.

Post Office Area Manager, Lynn Cox, said: “I have always enjoyed my visits to see Mandy at Lindsworth branch as it is a great office – really five-star. Mandy is very kind, hard-working and she has a great sense of humour, so it’s always fun to visit. People are very sad that Mandy is retiring. I want to thank her for her long and loyal service to the community and I wish her a very well-earned retirement.”

Lindsworth Post Office at 7 Lindsworth Approach, Birmingham, B30 3QH has closed. However, the Post Office said that it is looking to restore service there. The vacancy is advertised on  www.runapostoffice.co.uk. Alternative branches include The Green and The Fold.