Procurement process for Kirk Onchan Post Office continuing

And question mark over future of services in PSM

The Isle of Man Post Office has thanked the outgoing sub-postmaster of Kirk Onchan Post Office.

It’s after Hassan Patel confirmed he would be shutting the doors in August saying a new contract offered by government means it’s ‘no longer a viable business’.

You can find out more HERE.

These customers told Manx Radio they’d be sad to see the facility shut:

In response the Post Office confirmed a procurement process is underway to appoint a new provider of postal services in Kirk Onchan.

It adds: "To protect the integrity and fairness of that process it would not be appropriate for us to comment further while the procurement exercise remains active.

"IOMPO would like to place on record its sincere thanks to the outgoing retailer who has served as a sub-postmaster delivering valued post office services within their community."

In February the Isle of Man Post Office said it would 'reshape' its counter network in light of 'changing customer demand'.

You can find out more HERE. 

Mr Hassan declined Manx Radio's opportunity to be interviewed at this time.

His decision was followed by an announcement from Torden Stores in Port St Mary that it would not be continuing to offer postal services from 1 July.

In a post on Facebook on Monday (29 June) the owners said the system in place was ‘not conducive’ to be able to continue.

It said this was because when customers paid for their services by card the business lost money.

“This last month has seen us ACTUALLY pay the IOMPO for the service, which is not a business plan that any sane person can continue. If we are forced into continuing, then sadly it will be a case of Torden Stores closes permanently.” - Torden Stores

It later clarified that this was an issue with its point-of-sale machine contract and not the Isle of Man Post Office saying it was in ‘comms’ with the post office.

Vicky East is the sub-postmistress:

However in a post this morning (30 June) the store appeared to backtrack saying if customers could pay in cash it should be able to ‘keep the postal services going’.

Vicky East is standing for election in the constituency of Rushen in September’s General Election.

The other candidates standing are: Michael Crowe, Michelle Haywood, Laurence Vaughn-Williams and Simon Williams.