Young couple take on post office and shop

Post master Travis Nash and post mistress Evie Milligan take over Cocking Post Office. Pic S Robards

Evie Milligan, 23, and Travis Nash, 22, opened the doors to the Cocking village shop on Friday (April 16) and were given a warm welcome by eager villagers excited to see the amenity reopened.

The couple said they enjoyed meeting locals and Evie said: “They are brilliant and the village has definitely got some characters.

“It’s been great and we are really enjoying it. Now we’re look forward to meeting everyone else.”

The pair said everyone had been welcoming. Pic S Robards

The duo decided to move to the area and take on the shop after looking for a ‘change and a challenge’ and hope to open the post office side of the business next month.

The pair took over the Mill Lane site in November last year, opening the shop last week.

When the post office opens in May, they will be youngest post mistress and master in the South.

The shop opened on Friday morning (April 16) much to the excitement of residents after closing its doors in December 2019.

The shop opened last Friday, with the post office to follow in May. Pic S Robards

Evie said: “Our opening day went really well and we got a really great response from people. We had lots of walkers and cyclists coming in.

“It was lovely, we had a queue of about 12 to 15 people outside at 9am of all the locals and then it was steady all day.”

Evie, from Hindhead in Surrey, has come from a retail background while Travis, from Alton in Hampshire, worked in car sales and as an electrician. The couple began the process of acquiring the shop in June last year and hope the post office will be operational next month

Evie added: “We just wanted a change and a challenge and so far it has definitely been that.”

The pair have said they have a ‘great support system’ in place in the community after Evie’s mother moved into the village and they will also be joined by their black Labrador Reggie.

“He’s very overwhelmed at the moment but he is very excited and he will be in the garden in the summer so people will see him,” said Evie.

The shop is currently offering fresh produce as well as tea and coffee. They will also be working to provide more tables and chairs outside the shop to allow passers-by to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.