Ten of Fermanagh’s 46 post offices are to be modernised, with most relocating to a retail store, by March 2015.

The move has been described by Sinn Féin MLA Phil Flanagan as “complementing the services currently provided in many of our shops, which now goes well beyond traditional grocery”.

In March 2012, the Post Office was separated from the Royal Mail Group and the UK Government approved a £1.34 billion investment programme to modernise Post Office Ltd. To date, in Northern Ireland, Post Office Ltd. has spent £2.5 million on modernising 100 of the province’s 500 branches.

The changes are likely to mean an end to smaller, rural post offices and tiny outreach branches such as Culkey, pictured above. The decision to change will be voluntarily made by the postmaster/mistress, who will receive a lump sum from Post Office Ltd.

In the last two years, Derrylin, Clabby and Garrison post offices moved into nearby shops. This has resulted in longer open hours, including on Sundays. Lisbellaw and Brookeborough have agreed on-site renovations.

When Post Office Ltd. proposes a move to another location, it is only confirmed following a six week public consultation.

Public consultations are currently underway in Ederney, proposing a move to Monaghan’s Mace and in Maguiresbridge, proposing a move to Spar Stores. Both consultations finish on December 10.

It is proposed that Ballinamallard post office will move to Beatty’s Spar and the consultation ends next Wednesday, November 26. Post Office Ltd. is awaiting a decision on Tempo which has only recently finished consultation. Last week, it was confirmed that Chanterhill will move to McBride’s Spar, Irvine’s Crescent.

Culkey Post Office, which has been in the area since 1961, is currently listed as a business opportunity.

Postmistress Shirley Johnston explains that, at 77 years of age she feels “it is time to retire”. The building is owned by her family, therefore rent is not an issue. A monthly sum is paid to Post Office Ltd. for use of its products and services. Shirley’s uncle was initially the postmaster, followed by her brother, with Shirley taking up the reins in 2004.

“I’ve been at it for 53 years but I took over as postmistress 10 years ago in 2004. It is time to retire and they do give you a lump sum.” Shirley has noticed many changes over the years, saying: “It has changed from people walking or coming on bicycles to coming in a motor car. There was a new computer system installed in 2000 which was a big change; everything is technology driven now.” Shirley expects that the post office will relocate to Reilly’s Spar Shop, Scaffog. She concludes: “The lump sum of two-and-a-half year’s pay will be good because, who knows, in two years, I may not be able to do this anymore.” According to Mr. Flanagan, the modernisation of post offices in rural areas “makes financial sense for everyone involved”. He states: “I’ve no problem with the changes. It allows members of the public access to a greater range of services for more hours and over more days in the week, particularly in rural areas, where access to an ATM machine may not be as easy.” He calls on Post Office Ltd. to ensure “that the full suite of postal services are retained and made available for longer hours” and that “such changes are carried out in conjunction with the local community and that local people are made aware of any proposed changes.” Privacy was a big concern among locals who responded to public consultations. “In old post office premises, it was usually an empty room. Now these financial transactions will take place in busy shops. So people want to ensure their details are being treated securely and discretely and this has largely been accommodated to date,” Mr. Flanagan reports.

Post Office Senior Stakeholder Manager for Northern Ireland Mark Gibson tells The Impartial Reporter: “We are transforming our business so that we can continue to serve the changing needs of our customers and to secure a commercially sustainable future. As you know society is changing rapidly and many businesses have had to rethink how they interact with their customers to ensure that they are still meeting their needs. The Post Office is no different, for example we know that many of our customers want us to be open at a time convenient to them.” He adds: “In Fermanagh we now have three offices now open on a Sunday: Clabby, Garrison and Lisbellaw. As our transformation continues this number will increase.” Mr. Gibson concludes: “A post office works well within a vibrant retail environment and we are helping many postmasters to look at their retail offering to see how they can improve their business. However as this is a voluntary programme, therefore, I can’t tell you how many post offices will move into a retail business in the near future.”