Sheffield shopkeeper set to give up Post Office service due to aftermath of armed robbery

A Sheffield shopkeeper is urging a business to take on his Post Office service as the aftermath of a terrifying armed robbery has proven too much.
Richard May outside Thorpe House Post OfficeRichard May outside Thorpe House Post Office
Richard May outside Thorpe House Post Office

A Sheffield shopkeeper is urging a business to take on his Post Office service as the aftermath of a terrifying armed robbery has proven too much.

Richard May, 83, has ran the Thorpe House Post Office on Lees Hall Road in Norton Lees with his wife Hazel, 86, and son Peter, 56, since 1996.

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Mr May and Peter, were handed police bravery awards after fighting off two armed robbers carrying a sledgehammer and a gun inside the shop in 2014.

Hazel suffered a broken hip after she was pushed to the floor and has been in and out of hospital ever since. Peter, who is down as the postmaster, has been caring for his mother full-time and is finding it difficult to do both.

The shop is staying but with a heavy heart, Mr May said he's having to give up the Post Office side of the business and is hoping somebody else in the area could take it on.

The shopkeeper is hoping the Co-op a few doors up could take the service on but the store is said not to be keen on the idea.

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Richard said: "It's a decision I haven't taken lightly, but I feel we can't carry on as we are with everything that went on with the armed robbery.

"I'll be sad to see it go. It becomes part of your life and you see the same people in the community using it as a meeting point.

"I can't stand by and watch it go in the area, I hope somebody will take it on. I think the Co-op should, whether or not they do is a different matter."

If a nearby business can't be found, the closest Post Office will either Woodseats or Heeley.