Poundbury Post Office gets ready for the Coronation
Postmaster Sahil Dalvi has hosted many Royal visits
Poundbury Post Office is all decorated to mark the King’s Coronation as Prince Charles came up with the idea for Poundbury, an “experimental” village near Dorchester.
The Post Office, inside Buttermarket Stores is at the heart of the community and owners, Sahil and Adriana Dalvi, have been busy decorating their shop with flags, bunting, balloons and other decorations ahead of King Charles III’s Coronation on 6 May.
This will be a momentous occasion for the nation and even more special for the people of Poundbury, which was the brainchild of Prince Charles, who wanted a self-efficient village for people to live, shop, work and socialise in walkable reach, rather than reliant on cars.
In 1993 work began to build Poundbury, in stages, on 400 acres of Duchy of Cornwall land. When there were sufficient homes, Buttermarket Stores opened in 2015. Prince Charles visited Poundbury’s first convenience store to congratulate Sahil and Adriana.
Poundbury Post Office was added in 2016. Prince Charles visited again as having Post Office services in this community was another important requirement for his village.
Postmaster Sahil Dalvi said: “With such strong Royal links to King Charles we had to ensure the branch was fully decorated for his Coronation. We are very lucky that Prince Charles as he was then has popped into the store to see us three times, the last time to quickly see how we were getting on. We also always get a cheery wave and wave whenever he is passing.
“Prince William also visited our village last year with his father before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Now that William has become the Duchy of Cornwall we hope to be able to have the opportunity to meet him soon.”
Poundbury is now home to more than 4,000 people and another 2,000 work in its shops, offices, factories and cafes. Construction is due to completed in 2026.
King Charles’ concept for Poundbury was for attractive looking mews-style homes with accommodation for all incomes with affordable housing integrated amongst mid-priced and luxury homes.
The neighbourhoods within Poundbury have public squares for socialising with neighbours, many of which will be used to host Coronation parties and have been used for Jubilee celebrations in the past.