Group to deliver case for post office retention

AN Post has requested a new lobby group to present a case outlining the future viability of Broadford Post Office in the event a decision is taken to reopen the vital facility.

This was confirmed by Broadford Action Group chairman, PJ Mason at a public meeting in the community hall to discuss the next stage in the campaign to secure a reopening of the post office, which was supposed to be temporary.

Mr Mason requested any householder with proposals outlining the need for the retention of the post office to send it to the committee who hope to complete a comprehensive submission within the next two weeks.
The submission will include a petition with over 1,200 signatures calling for the reopening of the facility.

Deputy Timmy Dooley, East Clare Councillors, Joe Cooney, Pascal Fitzgerald, Michael Begley, Cathal Crowe, Pat Burke, Pat Hayes joined over 200 householders showed their support for the retention of the post office by attending this meeting.

Mr Mason explained the committee would have to demonstrate the volume of business was sufficient to facilitate the retention of the facility.

“This is our opportunity to hold on and get Broadford Post Office as quickly as possible. All the equipment and hardware is still there. Some communities were not given this opportunity to get their post office back.

“We have to look outside the box. If there was another post office four or five miles up the road we would not be getting this opportunity.

“I think we can get Broadford Post Office back provided we can show there is enough business there.

One resident pointed out there was no reason why Broadford shouldn’t have a post office considering the large catchment area it previously served.

An Post was also criticised for not getting a proper warning to the local community that there was a difficulty with the post office before its abrupt closure on Friday, November 10 last.

One woman complained the post office was shut during an extremely busy period in the lead up to Christmas and recalled it caused huge inconvenience for people who had to go to Tulla, where there wasn’t adequate parking.

Acknowledging there were restricted opening hours in some banks, Mr Mason noted customers could withdraw money out of a post office all day once there was one open in their community.

Another resident noted submissions should be sought from the wider catchment area and not just Broadford village to strengthen the case for its reopening.

Concern was also expressed that the loss of sorting in Broadford didn’t help the post office and was unfair to postmen who had to travel in and out to Limerick regularly.

If Broadford Post Office reopens and a new operator spends a large amount of money investing in the facility to attract new business, a resident asked could An Post close it down a few years later.

Under a new An Post policy, Mr Mason noted new operators were given a five-year contract compared to the previous scenario when it was for life.

Mary Casey, ICA suggested every organisation in the entire catchment area should write a letter supporting the retention of the post office.