Post Offices Ltd proposes to close 21 branches in Northern Ireland

Twenty-one post office branches are facing closure in Northern Ireland.

Post Office Ltd announced on Wednesday that 21 sub-postmasters would put their branches forward for closure later this year.

The proposed closures affect urban post offices and would bring the total number of post offices in Northern Ireland down from 580 to 559.

Under the plans, south Belfast would be worst affected with the loss of five offices while east Antrim would lose four.

The company said the proposed closures were part of a programme aimed at modernising its network of more than 9,000 urban post office branches in the United Kingdom.

It argued that too many branches were competing for too little business and warned that many sub-postmasters would no longer have viable businesses unless changes were made.

PROPOSED BRANCH CLOSURES Knock (Belfast) Knocknagoney (Belfast) Greencastle (Belfast) Balmoral (Belfast) Cromac Street (Belfast) Ormeau Road (Belfast) Stranmillis Road (Belfast) Willowfield (Belfast) Ballybeen (Belfast) Milebush (Antrim) Woodburn (Antrim) Waterloo Road (Larne) The Harbour (Larne) Woodford (Newtownabbey) Scrabo (Strangford) Oakwood Ave (Bangor) Grand Street (Lisburn) Ann Street (Enniskillen) Laurelhill (Coleraine) The Collon (Londonderry) Lisnagelvin (Londonderry)

The Post Office head in Northern Ireland, Raymond Crea, said the decision followed considerable research and economies had to be made to secure the future of the company's network.

In a statement, he said: "We are anxious that customers and all relevant organisations understand our rationale and have the opportunity to give us their views.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that all our customers in Northern Ireland will continue to have reasonable access to local Post Office products and services.

"Even after any changes are made, well over 95% of customers will still live within a mile of a Post Office branch."

Mr Crea said the company concluded that the closure of the 21 offices would improve the long-term prospects of the other branches in their areas.

However, he invited comments from customers about the proposed closures and about services provided at alternative branches.

"No final decisions will be taken until we have considered all views," Mr Crea said.

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said the news was "a bombshell for many close-knit communities".

"The local post office is the heart and soul of many local communities, particularly in rural and urban deprived areas," he said.

The Sinn Fein MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew said the closures would "rip the heart" out of rural and urban communities.

"People who cannot afford to pay to travel to the nearest post office will be disadvantaged and, in areas where there are sectarian tensions, people will view this announcement with dismay."

Democratic Unionist MLA Mark Robinson urged communities in south Belfast to ensure their voice was heard during the consultation period.