The grandmother bringing the Post Office back to The Nook in South Shields

Madeleine Duncan, 54, opened her newsagents on Sunderland Road in February, after more than 10 years working as a secretary in the NHS.

On Thursday, March 19, Duncan's News Hub will open the Cleadon Park Post Office counter.

As well as a full range of mail services and bill payments, customers will be able to carry out banking transactions including cash withdrawals, balance enquiries and cheque and cash deposits.

It comes as The Nook’s last remaining bank, the Prince Edward Road branch of Virgin Money, announced it would be closing in August 2020 after a fall in customer numbers.

In May 2019 Barclays also closed its branch next door.

Customers have been advised that many of their banking needs can be met at their local Post Office, however the closest branch is currently a bus-ride away in the town centre.

“The Post Office counter is going to be a huge lifeline for people, customers are coming in and telling me how much the closures are going to affect them,” said Madeline, who quit her longstanding role in the NHS to spend more time with her family.

“I love the NHS but I wanted to be closer to my grandchildren,” she continued.

“Many of my family and friends live and shop in The Nook and they told me how far they have to go to get what they need.

“I had the opportunity to do something about it, so I decided to make a change and I’ve built the business from scratch.”

She added: “People are coming in constantly, the response has been fantastic.

“I have no regrets, it’s the best decision I ever made.”

After hearing about the closure of the bank, Madeleine, who lives in the Harton area, applied to open the Post Office counter.

“There’s a big gap in the market in this area,” she said.

“I wanted to bring a little bit of positivity back to The Nook.”

Follow Duncan’s News Hub on Facebook for information.