A FIRST class postmaster is retiring after being at the heart of the Oldbury community for more than four decades.

Kewal Singh has run Newbury Lane Post Office, Oldbury, for 44 years.

Having been a teacher in India Kewal arrived in the UK in 1967 with just £2.50 in his pocket and decided to run his own business after struggling to find work and only getting low paid positions.

When he became postmaster at Newbury Lane in 1980 some people who already worked at the branch handed in their notices as they did not want to work for an Indian person.

Some customers were reticent too, but Kewal asked them to give him six months to prove himself.

Kewal said: “It was tricky at the start, but we won people over with our hard work, the service that we provided and we gained their trust.

"We like to help people.

"We have always gone above and beyond for our community.

"I’m going to carry on working on an ad hoc basis in the Post Office and shop, so that I have more time to relax, but I will miss my customers otherwise.

"I’m not one for sitting around. I have a philosophy that every moment of your breath should be used wisely.

“I came to the UK with £2.50 in my pocket and I set myself a goal of being able to find myself a home and to be able to work to provide for my family in the UK and family back in India.

"It was a real struggle at first, but then it all started to go right when I bought the Post Office and we made a real success of it, doubling the size of the premises, by taking on the empty shop next door for a convenience store.

Kewal with his wife Manjeet and Post Office area manager Nik PriestleyKewal with his wife Manjeet and Post Office area manager Nik Priestley (Image: Handout)

“We went from being leaseholders to freeholders, and until recently we also had a business in Birmingham city centre.

"It shows what can be achieved when you are hard-working, determined and make sacrifices – we had to go without holidays as we had businesses to run and family to support.

"Manjeet and I will now have time to enjoy holidays.

“We are delighted that my grandson, who was born in the flat above the shop, is now taking over the business.”

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: "Kewal has gone above and beyond for the people of Oldbury as he really cares about the community that he serves, and he is very kind-hearted.

"Whenever his family has a birthday or there is a special occasion, he treats his customers to samosas or fruit"

To mark his retirement Kewal held a community celebration and handed out samosas, Indian sweets and lollipops.

Post Office Area Manager, Nik Priestley, said: “Kewal is a first class postmaster and he and Manjeet are very popular with their customers.

"I want to sincerely thank them for their long and loyal and committed service to this community for 44 years.

"I hope that I still get to enjoy chats with them when I come into see their grandson in his new role as postmaster – he has been trained well.”