Campaigners ‘ hopeful’ for post office future
Campaigners looking to save Ballygawley Post Office say they are hopeful for its future following their most recent communication from An Post.
Ballygawley’s post office has been the subject of an ongoing campaign since November, when the wife of the late postmaster was informed that it was undergoing a review.
The local community began campaigning to save the post office, with the ‘ Save Ballygawley Post Office’ campaign being established.
Co- ordinator of the campaign, Thomas Walsh, says the recently released Kerr Report has given them a glimmer of hope. One of the recommendations stated in the Kerr Report states that post offices should consider moving into multi- use locations, such as petrol stations or other commercial premises’. This is where Mr. Walsh feels that Ballygawley has an advantage.
“People are uneasy but at least we have the comfort of knowing it’s safe until May or June,” Mr. Walsh told The Sligo Champion.
“The Kerr Report is very much in our favour. Our post office is already in a multi- use premises so that should benefit us,” he added.
Mr. Walsh says the post office has become increasingly busy since November.
“It’s actually been a lot busier since last November when we got the review notice. So we are feeling very hopeful at the minute,” he said.
“I can’t see any Government signing off on the closure of 80 post offices,” added Mr. Walsh.
Tom O’Neill, Head of Contractors and Retail Support at An Post issued the following letter to campaigners last week:
“An Post is currently undertaking an in depth analysis and review of its retail network on a countrywide basis.
“We do not propose to make any decision on the future of Ballygawley Post Office until such time as our nationwide review has been completed.
“I very much regret that my reply cannot be more definitive at this stage.”