Post Office success! Budgens store set to expand mail service for Belsize Park residents with second counter

Published: 21 April 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

IT opened with a fanfare last year following six years of campaigning by Belsize Park residents.

And the post office in Budgens supermarket in Haverstock Hill has been so successful it has now had to open a second counter.

Owner Andrew Thornton, who bought Budgens in Crouch End and later Belsize Park with the aim of doing something different from other supermarket chains, said the addition of a post office had been perfect for an independent store motivated by its community.

And it is not the only way the ethical food shop has deviated from its rivals. The introduction of ideas such as the plastic bag scheme – which has raised £90,000 for local charities through plastic bag sales – highlights ethics over profits. 

The shop also stocks local suppliers such as Fleet Road primary school parent Anjam Jebeen, who has developed a range of curry sauces. And staff at her company work with primary schools to introduce children to its ethos. 

Mr Thornton said: “We are part of the mainstream industry but we have done things quite differently. Quality doesn’t have to be at the expense of convenience. You can have both.”