Municipal Association 'disgusted' by sub-post office closures

'Members are worried their community will be next' - Quane

The Isle of Man Municipal Association is 'disgusted' at the prospect of losing sub-post offices from communities around the Island.

That's according to Vivien Quane, who's the chair of the organisation, which acts as a forum for local authorities to exchange ideas and experiences.

She says members are 'deeply concerned' about the impact of sub-post office closures, a result of a 'demand-driven' strategy to make the loss-making retail network sustainable. 

The issue has been keenly felt in Ballasalla, where residents face losing counter services for a kiosk despite strong opposition by national and local politicians. 

Post Office chair Julie Edge says the board has listened to the village, with work underway to hire a 'service partner' to assist residents with the machine.  

Mrs Quane, who's also a Lezayre Commissioner, says authorities in other parts of the Island are worried their sub-post offices will be next to go, and wants Tynwald members to reconsider the strategy.

She told Local Democracy Reporter Ewan Gawne representatives from across the Island are afraid about what the changes will do to local communities: