Following a consultation with business partners and local stakeholder groups in the area, Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) has confirmed that it will not seek a replacement sub postmaster in Sulby when the current one steps down on 27th March 2020 and closes his retail premises.
Sub postmaster Graham Garrett announced his resignation from the role in January. However with falling transactions and footfall at post offices across the Island, the Board of IOMPO accept Mr Garrett’s decision to resign and close his shop, and wish to express their sincere thanks to him for his exemplary loyalty and dedication to providing postal services to customers for 15 years. They recognise that customers will be saddened by the news and that he will be much missed by his customers. The Board wish him and his family every success in their future endeavours.
Going forward, the nearest postal services will be available in Ballaugh, Kirk Michael, Ramsey and Jurby and to assist Sulby residents in accessing postal services in other locations, IOMPO is pleased to have received agreement from the Public Transport division of the Department of Infrastructure, that they will extend their demand responsive transport service ‘Connect Villages’ to link the Sulby community to Jurby Post Office. This service operates at normal bus fares and journeys can be booked by telephoning 697440. This service is in addition to a public transport link that already exists which enables villagers to reach Kirk Michael, Ballaugh or Ramsey Post Office. This will allow all post office customers to continue accessing the same services.
Meanwhile Spar in Ballaugh, which operates the post office in the village, has agreed to offer their premises as a parcel collection location should customers wish to have their Notice Left items redelivered to Ballaugh Spar. This service will be available throughout their full retail opening hours as opposed to just the post office opening hours, providing greater convenience to customers.
Mary Gaffney, General Manager for Retail & Customer Services, of IOMPO said: “We are ensuring the needs of MiCard customers are met and are in contact with the relevant organisations to help manage the change. We wish to ensure steps are taken to make the transition for MiCard customers to collect welfare payments from a different nominated post office is as smooth as possible. MiCard customers can, if they wish, choose to nominate a person to collect benefits/pensions on their behalf by way of a proxy. The Social Security Division has sent a letter to all their MiCard customers explaining the process they should follow.”
Customers can check the location and associated opening hours of all post offices Island-wide via its website
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