By Alan Healy
The Post Office said yesterday that it was doing all it could to avoid having to close one of its branches in the city centre.
The pledge follows a crunch meeting held earlier this week to discuss the future of three Post Office branches in Derry.
This meeting came after the Derry News revealed last month that both the Diamond and Park Avenue (Rosemount) branch were set to close.
The premises at the Diamond is set to be incorporated into an adjacent bar, while the search is on for a new postmaster to take over the Park Avenue branch before a closing of November 27.
Both branches are owned by the same postmaster, who has now resigned.
The Derry News also revealed that there are fears over the future of the GPO at Custom House Street in the city centre unless a franchisee can be found to take it over.
Representatives from the Post Office met with the Foyle MP Elisha McCallion and a Sinn Fein delegation on Monday to discuss local concerns over the future of the three branches.
Following the meeting, the Post Office issued a statement where it sought to ‘reassure’ its customers in Derry that it was committed to maintain its level of services in Derry.
'Complicated'
However, it did admit that that lease is not being renewed at the Diamond Post Office, and that a ‘temporary closure’ may not be preventable.
“We want to reassure our customers that we’re committed to continuing with convenient Post Office services in Derry,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re working hard to find suitable new postmasters.”
“Both the Diamond and Park Avenue (Rosemount) branches are owned by the same postmaster, who has resigned.
“We have been looking for a replacement postmaster for Rosemount and we have had interest which we are continuing to explore.”
However, the spokesperson added that the situation with The Diamond branch was ‘complicated’.
“We are also looking for a replacement postmaster for the Diamond, but unfortunately the situation is complicated by an issue regarding the current premises where we understand the lease has ended and is not being renewed.
“We’re doing all we can to avoid temporary closure and if circumstances mean a break in service is not preventable we will keep it to a minimum and restore services as quickly as we can.”
The spokesperson added that with regards to its Custom House Street branch, its aim was to ‘retain convenient access’ while operating the business in a ‘more sustainable way’.
“There are no detailed proposals for our Custom House Street branch,” the spokesperson continued.
“We announced in the summer that we are looking at potentially franchising this branch to safeguard the services it provides into the future.
“Our plans will be centred on retaining convenient access for our customers whilst operating in a more sustainable way to protect services for years to come.”
The spokesperson added: “Detailed plans, when they are drawn up, will be subject to a public consultation.”
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