Plans to move Post Office to Square
by JULIE ANN SPENCE
One of the empty units in Lisburn Square which could house the Post Office. US381O-162A0
POST Office Ltd announced this week the Lisburn Post Office branch is set to move to a new location, in the heart of the city centre, at 26 Lisburn Square. A spokesperson for the Post Office explained: "A temporary agent has been running the branch since the contract with the former Subpostmaster came to an end. The premises at Market Square are now being withdrawn for Post Office use, however, we are delighted that our agent has secured premises at Lisburn Square which will include a retail facility.
The new agent successfully operates another Post Office in the area so we are confident that he has both the experience and knowledge to provide a great standard of service to our customers in Lisburn.
The new premises in Lisburn Square will be completely refurbished to incorporate a convenience store and a new modern main Post Office.
"Should the move go ahead customers will benefit from enhanced facilities including a new, modern, Post Office counter with low level serving position and level access into the branch to assist those with mobility difficulties. Additionally there will be car parking nearby."
The spokesperson continued: "We are delighted to have this opportunity to safeguard the future of Lisburn Post Office branch while, at the same time, offering our loyal customers an enhanced service with improved access to our valued and trusted services.
"We are confident local people will welcome our proposal but naturally, before taking such an important step, we would like to hear their views. In particular, we would like comments on opening hours, access and facilities at the new location as well as any other issues they think we should know about in the Lisburn area."
The proposed move has been welcomed by local politicians. MLA Basil McCrea commented: "I am pleased to see that finally Lisburn will have a new and much more appealing Post Office."
MLA Paul Givan added: "These proposals are a welcome development following the past number of years since the old post office moved to Market Square. The proposals to relocate to Lisburn Square is a better proposition than what currently exists as it will be more accessible, located beside car parks, the bus station and it will also include a retail element within the shop which should have been the case in the current facility."
Environment Minister and Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots urged people to make their thoughts on the proposals known to the Post Office. He added: "We never accepted the current location of the Post Office as the right site in the first instance and would welcome the proposals to move it to an area that is more accessible to older people and which will make it more widely used."
Councillor William Leathem, Chairman of the Council's Corporate Services Committee, said: "On behalf of the Council I welcome this consultation document and the Council will submit its response within six weeks. It is good to see that the Post Office is looking to create a more secure Post Office service to the community in the long term."
Anyone who wishes to comment on the relocation of Lisburn Post Office, or
who has any questions, should write, by Tuesday November 2, 2010 to: Post
Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, WATFORD, WD18 8ZW
or send an e-mail to
consultation@postoffice.co.uk.
If the decision is taken to proceed with the proposal it is expected the new
branch will relocate early in December.
*What do you think of the plans to move the Post Office to Lisburn Square? Is the move necessary? Will this be a benefit to customers? Let us know your opinions by contacting Ulster Star, 12A Bow Street, Lisburn, BT28 1BN. Alternatively, email your opinion to news@ulsterstar.co.uk
Ulster Star
24/09/2010
