A TYNE Valley Post Office has been sold off an asking price of £70,000.

Ponteland Post Office has been purchased by convenience store entrepreneur, Asad Ali, after a sale managed by specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co.

The business comprises a Post Office, travel agency and news agent, all of which are staff run.The property also includes an office, a small storeroom and a two bedroom flat on the first floor.

A few years ago, the business was relocated from a smaller unit in Ponteland's shopping precinct and, in 2013, saw a complete modern re-fit throughout.

New owner Asad Ali said: “I am very happy to have completed on this great Post Office. My plan is for all current staff to be retained and to improve on the business’s retail offering, adding more variety to what is already available.

"We also look forward to booking holidays for our customers, as there are some great deals to be had this summer and next.”

Andrew Birnie, director of retail at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, added: “Another great example of a sale during Covid-19 in the retail sector.

"This deal was agreed pre Covid-19, we have been lucky in our specialist area of retail in that buyers have not pulled out. In fact, demand has increased dramatically due to these businesses remaining open throughout the pandemic and turnover has increased due to changing shopping habits.

"Our client wanted to retire to live abroad."

Mr Ali has many years’ experience running convenience stores and a smaller Post Office. A feature of the business new to Mr Ali is the travel bureau, which is run by experienced staff. He has plans to add new products and service to the store's retail area.