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Sudden closure of Enniskillen Post Office branded 'an absolute disgrace'

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TrueBlueTerrier
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Sudden closure of Enniskillen Post Office branded 'an absolute disgrace'

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https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belf ... e-21522231

Councillors only found out about the plans after they were tipped off by a member of the town's business community

Councillors have demanded answers over the future of Enniskillen's Post Office, after it was suddenly closed.

At the council's most recent meeting Ulster Unionist councillor Howard Thornton told members the Post Office had closed “suddenly and without any warning to the public.”

He noted Sinn Fein councillor Tommy Maguire was made aware of the imminent closure at the end of July through a member of the town’s business community, and shared this with other councillors.

An urgent meeting was sought with the Post Office who advised the closure was instead scheduled for the end of August.

A second meeting was hosted in Enniskillen, attended by the local business community, elected representatives and council officials where “we were unexpectedly told the Post Office would close at 5.30pm the following day – a week earlier than we were previously advised”, councillor Thornton said.

“Notification to the public was solely by means of signs on windows of the current premises, erected just 24 hours prior to the closure.

“No assurance was provided about a re-opening, but we were assured we would be kept up to date with developments. Council has heard nothing.”

Councillor Thornton told members just ahead of the council meeting word was received that “work was in progress but in no way finalised.”

He stressed people and businesses were angered, and while cover is underway at two sub-Post Offices on the outskirts of Enniskillen, these “do not have the required parking or internal capability to deal with this sudden closure.

“Older people and those with restricted travel are the most inconvenienced.”

While there has been speculation and rumour of reopening, nobody knows exactly what is happening, causing huge frustration.

“The whole process, or lack of process, has been an absolute disgrace,” said Councillor Thornton.

He proposed writing to the highest level of Post Office management expressing total dissatisfaction and an apparent lack of urgency in resolving problems.

Councillor Thornton also sought “immediate notification to council when the situation eventually resolves, to allow people and businesses to be advised accordingly and reduce current frustration.”

Seconding, councillor Maguire added his voice to the dissatisfaction with the Post Office describing the closures as “a total lack of social conscience.”

He said: “These money-making organisations have no concern for the provision of service to the community. It is a further diminution of services to the West.”

Ulster Unionist councillor Robert Irvine called for council directors to examine the issue.

He said: “This is a very high profile issue.

“The Post Office is more than a private sector organisation, even though it’s privately run.

“We need a long-term strategy. All we are doing is sweeping up after the event.”

Independent councillor Donal O’Cofaigh said he has written to the Post Office expressing his concerns but so far has received only a holding statement.

He said: “It’s a disgraceful situation where our county town of Enniskillen has lost its high street Post Office.


“It’s scandalous it has come to this.

“Since the privatisation of Royal Mail and the break with the Post Office we’ve seen a deterioration of basic provision.

“Instead of being a public service we are seeing a move toward more and more reliance on private-sector operators to host Post Office services.”
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