“When we took over in 2001, we thought that, with all the post office closures, we would be lucky to last more than five years,” Mrs Joyce explained.
 
“As it is, 15 years on, we are still here, the Post Office, in their wisdom, deciding that we were still an essential part of the network.”
 
The couple felt the time was right to give up running both the post office and shop, adding that the way in which people have used both has changed significantly in recent years.
 
“The Post Office hasn’t helped small post offices by taking away much of the work that we used to do and putting much of it online,” she said. “Shopping habits have also changed, again with many people shopping online.”
 
As a result, the post office and store’s opening hours had already been reduced to 2½ days a week last May.
 
She noted that in the early days, quite a few loyal customers would place orders, but new people had now moved into the area, many of whom work in the city or larger towns during the day and choose to shop at bigger supermarkets.
 
Added to this are the increasing number of holiday homes and little passing traffic, mostly delivery drivers lost amongst the quiet lanes and back roads of Wood Dalling, which has around 200 residents scattered across an area of almost four square miles.
 
Mrs Joyce continued: “The sheer variety of products now available is impractical for a small shop like ours, which means the range that we actually sell is very small, tailored to just a handful of regular customers, especially the older generation.
 
“We know that these people in particular will find it difficult, but given our family circumstances and the fact that we are both past our ‘sell by’ (but not ‘best before’) date, we have had to come to this decision.
 
“We still have a lot of energy, but need to channel this in our grandson’s direction. Thank you to those that have supported us over the past 15 years.”
 
Shop assistant Rosey Mears, who has worked at the post office and shop since the Joyces took over, said that many years ago there were other shops in Wood Dalling, as well as the vans of several bakers and butchers doing the rounds, with milk and newspapers also being delivered door to door.
 
“The shop has always been there as a place for somebody to talk to,” said Mrs Mears, who is now looking for alternative employment. “We have certainly had some laughs over the years, but it will be a sad day when it finally comes to an end.”
 
Parish Council chairman Kerry Oldfield added: “It is extremely sad for all residents of Wood Dalling that the shop will be closing and it will be missed by so many, not just for the post office services and goods that it sells, but for the friendly faces and opportunity for a chat with neighbours when calling in.
 
“It has been ably run by Tricia and James Joyce, with help from Rosey, for the past 15 years, and prior to that by Sheila and Lesley Gasgins for many years. It is a sign of the times that small local shops struggle for survival, so we understand the reasons why James and Tricia find they can no longer continue running the shop. Everyone wishes them all the best in the future.”
 
The Wood Dalling shop is now holding a closing down sale with 20% off on selected items, and is also selling a wide range of second-hand goods.