Post Office to halt non-postal services at Governor’s Hill store

Current sub-Post Office counter will close on 23 April 2025

The Isle of Man Post Office has confirmed it will be providing postage only services at Governor’s Hill once the store reopens following a refurbishment in May.

Mannin Retail Limited is to refurbish its Spar outlet at the location, and the current sub-Post Office counter will therefore close on 23 April 2025.

The refurbished store is set to reopen on 6 May 2025, and once operational, will not offer agency services such as MiCard, driving and vehicle licensing, bill payment services, or Foreign Exchange etc.

However, postal services will be available from 8am to 9pm Monday to Sunday. 

For customers requiring the non-postal services, the nearest sub-Post Office is the Spar outlet in Willaston.

IOMPO says recent changes brought in by government have had a 'substantial impact' on the demand for sub-Post Office counter services.

Treasury is set to conclude its MiCard contract in December 2025, and the Department of Infrastructure is digitising its driver and vehicle licensing services.

The post office says those two agency contracts accounted for over 75 per cent of non-postal transactions at sub-Post Office counters during the last financial year.

IOMPO Chair Stu Peters said: "One of our long-term ambitions is to successfully transition our retail network to provide enhanced and innovative access for our customers. 

"The planned withdrawal of agency services from sub-Post Office counters has enabled us to introduce new opportunities more quickly to offer greater convenience for customers needing to send letters or parcels."

Operations Manager for Mannin Retail Limited Jonathan Kermode added: "We are delighted to support IOMPO's vision by maintaining postal services at our newly refurbished Spar at Governors Hill, where postal customers will benefit from significantly extended opening hours."

Manx Radio has contacted the Department of Infrastructure for comment regarding the digitisation of its services.