The Market’s Post Office has been selected as Post Office of the Year for South London, following a Mystery Shopper visit to all of the branches across the region.

Raj Patel, who runs the Post Office here, received a hamper of food and a bottle of wine as a prize, and said he was blissfully unaware at the time that the mystery shopper was in his branch, in the Food Exchange.

“With hindsight, I think I know who the mystery shopper was, but at the time I had no idea,” said Raj. “I don’t think I particularly stand out, I just treat everybody in the same friendly way and try to help them. I’ll bend over backwards for each and every customer, whether I know them or not.”

Raj has shunned publicity after winning the award, but was happy to talk to Market Times. “It’s nice to be acknowledged, but I’ll just keep on doing what I do,” he said. “I don’t really need feedback to tell me that my customers are happy with me. I’ve been working here for 32 years and [the Market community] is my family. I come in every day at 4, even if I don’t feel 100%, because I am here for my Market and I know people here rely on me.”