10/03/2004
Twenty-one NI post office branches to close
Twenty-one post office branches across Northern Ireland are to be closed, it was announced today.
The offices facing the axe are: Knock, Knocknagoney, Greencastle, Balmoral, Cromac Street, Ormeau Road, Stranmillis Road, Willowfield, Ballybeen, all in Belfast; Milebush and Woodburn, Antrim; Waterloo Road and The Harbour, Larne; Woodford, Newtownabbey; Scrabo, Strangford; Oakwood Ave, Bangor; Grand Street, Lisburn; Ann Street, Enniskillen; Laurelhill, Coleraine; The Collon and Lisnagelvin, Londonderry.
Post Office Ltd said the closures would take place later this year saying the decision was made to secure the future of the company's network.
Raymond Crea, Head of Area for Post Office Ltd in Northern Ireland, said the closure would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in their areas.
However, Sinn Féin South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew said the closures would rip the heart out of rural and urban communities.
She said: “Despite assurances that this is only a consultation there is a well founded fear that the Post Office will not listen to the concerns of local communities or their political representatives.
“This will hit hardest the vulnerable in our society – the elderly in particular who rely on Post Office. People who cannot afford to pay to travel to the nearest Post Office will be disadvantaged and in areas where there are sectarian tensions people will view this announcement with dismay."
"The implication for the long term viability of remaining post offices cannot be under estimated," she concluded.
(MB)
The offices facing the axe are: Knock, Knocknagoney, Greencastle, Balmoral, Cromac Street, Ormeau Road, Stranmillis Road, Willowfield, Ballybeen, all in Belfast; Milebush and Woodburn, Antrim; Waterloo Road and The Harbour, Larne; Woodford, Newtownabbey; Scrabo, Strangford; Oakwood Ave, Bangor; Grand Street, Lisburn; Ann Street, Enniskillen; Laurelhill, Coleraine; The Collon and Lisnagelvin, Londonderry.
Post Office Ltd said the closures would take place later this year saying the decision was made to secure the future of the company's network.
Raymond Crea, Head of Area for Post Office Ltd in Northern Ireland, said the closure would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in their areas.
However, Sinn Féin South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew said the closures would rip the heart out of rural and urban communities.
She said: “Despite assurances that this is only a consultation there is a well founded fear that the Post Office will not listen to the concerns of local communities or their political representatives.
“This will hit hardest the vulnerable in our society – the elderly in particular who rely on Post Office. People who cannot afford to pay to travel to the nearest Post Office will be disadvantaged and in areas where there are sectarian tensions people will view this announcement with dismay."
"The implication for the long term viability of remaining post offices cannot be under estimated," she concluded.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 December 2002
£20m cash boost for rural post offices announced
Rural post offices in Northern Ireland are set to receive more than £6.9 million-a-year for the next three years, in the largest ever government support package for this vital community service. The money is part of a £450 million national fund to safeguard the future of thousands of rural post offices, which was unveiled by the government today.
£20m cash boost for rural post offices announced
Rural post offices in Northern Ireland are set to receive more than £6.9 million-a-year for the next three years, in the largest ever government support package for this vital community service. The money is part of a £450 million national fund to safeguard the future of thousands of rural post offices, which was unveiled by the government today.
14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
27 July 2007
Post Office staff to stage walkout
Further postal strikes will continue today with the expected half-day strike of counter staff at nine post offices. The nine post offices affected are in Newtownards, Bangor, Antrim, Coleraine, Londonderry, Lisburn and two in Belfast. The walkout will be the fifth in a continuing dispute over pay and conditions and will begin at 2.30pm.
Post Office staff to stage walkout
Further postal strikes will continue today with the expected half-day strike of counter staff at nine post offices. The nine post offices affected are in Newtownards, Bangor, Antrim, Coleraine, Londonderry, Lisburn and two in Belfast. The walkout will be the fifth in a continuing dispute over pay and conditions and will begin at 2.30pm.
23 January 2006
Loss of contract could cause Post Office collapse
The Post Office network in Northern Ireland "will collapse" if the plans to change welfare benefit payments are implemented. The warning stems from the government's refusal to renew the £1 billion contract for the Post Office Card Account. This account is used by around 4.
Loss of contract could cause Post Office collapse
The Post Office network in Northern Ireland "will collapse" if the plans to change welfare benefit payments are implemented. The warning stems from the government's refusal to renew the £1 billion contract for the Post Office Card Account. This account is used by around 4.
21 October 2009
Postal Strike Hits NI
Postal staff are to go on strike this Thursday. The talking is over - for now - as attempts to broker a deal with postal staff have failed to halt industrial action.
Postal Strike Hits NI
Postal staff are to go on strike this Thursday. The talking is over - for now - as attempts to broker a deal with postal staff have failed to halt industrial action.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.