Limited progress on Diamond Post Office

Janese Sung, the company’s network operations manager, has advised that negotiations on the reestablishment of a post office in Bishop Street Within were ongoing.

In a letter to customers, she wrote: “As you may be aware the above Post Office closed last year for reasons beyond our control as the postmaster resigned and withdrew the premises for Post Office use.

“Since then we have been exploring our options for restoring a Post Office service to our customers in the area.

“The vacancy was advertised on our website and I have also personally visited the area.

“I can confirm that we have had some interest locally in the opportunity but our negotiations are at an early stage so I am unable to provide you with any further information at this point.”

Ms. Sung declared that any future deliberations would be bound to take into account the long-term sustainability of a renewed service.

“Due to the length of time the branch has been closed, we would need to satisfy ourselves that any new opportunity would be sustainable for both the Post Office and the operator.”

Sinn Féin Councillor for The Moor District Electoral Area (DEA) Sharon Duddy said it was her hope that a service could be re-opened in the Diamond area.

“I hope that new owners can be found to take on restoring a Post Office service for customers in the area. This part of the city centre has been without services now for over a year.

“In recent times we have seen new Post Office outlets being introduced at shopping outlets in various parts of the city.

“I also fully understand that any new service would need to be sustainable for both the Post Office and the operator,” said the local Sinn Féin representative.