Concerns raised over future of post office

The post office in Kirk Michael could close in December if a new postmaster, or postmistress, is not hired.

The current postmistress is retiring at the end of the year.

Michael District Commissioners have voted in favour of holding a public meeting with the Ayre and Michael MHKs and a representative from the Isle of Man Post Office.

They also voted in favour of supporting residents who would like to start a petition to keep the local post office.

At a meeting, held on Wednesday, Commissioner Diane Kelly said: "100 percent support the need to retain it."

The commissioners have also published an open letter on Facebook that states:  'The bottom line is that we have asked for the post office to start advertising and recruiting a replacement for our present postmistress who is about to retire.

"On several occasions the post office had suggested that Michael District Commissioners might consider running the post office in the reduced form.

"This is not an option as our remit is to manage the local services, paid for by resident rates, not to subsidise a local business.'

There are currently nine ‘rural’ post offices around the Island.

No date for the meeting, between the commissioners and the post office has been set.