Ballasalla Post Office seeks 'service partner'

Board compromises after political and public pressure

The board of the Isle of Man Post Office has agreed to seek expressions of interest for a new 'service partner' in Ballasalla - but not a sub-postmaster.

It follows a consultation process, and two public meetings, where the board was given feedback from politicians, the local authority, businesses, residents and users of the post office alike.

The post office says: "a consistent theme of the responses, based on the proposed service change originally presented, was the need for a personable face-to-face service."

It will therefore "formally seek expressions of interest in the coming weeks," for someone to provide "an enhanced offering to what it originally proposed," the board says.

The successful applicant would be tasked with helping customers operate the touch screen services, and providing advice for completing paper-based services.

Parcel collections have also been included in the revised remit - meaning customers can both post and collect items from the same place.

However, collection of benefits in person "will need to be accessed from an alternative post office, use of a proxy or directly paid into a bank account."

It's hoped an appointment will be made before the current sub-postmaster completes his contractual notice period.