High Street Post Office closing

A city councillor has said there is “considerable upset” in his community after it was announced that a local post office is to close soon.

High Street Post Office is closing at the beginning of March after the postmaster tendered his resignation at the start of January.

Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle said he has written to the CEO of An Post about the closure of High Street Post Office which he described as disappointing.

Cllr Boyle said on Twitter: “Last November I would have listened to you as you launched your electric vehicles initiative (in Cork). I welcome An Post’s commitment to sustainability… Closing such offices increases car dependence and is far from sustainable.

“Cork City Council is in the process of reviewing our city development plan. In this we are seeking to develop the concept of a 15 minute city/communities where services can be accessed by those walking or cycling without travelling for more than 15 minutes.”

Cllr Boyle added: “Decisions like that relating to High Street Post Office undermine this hoped for better outcome for our citizens. I also seek to know what An Post ‘s intentions in relation to the building that houses the post office. It is a prominent location that has significant local history (and) heritage importance.

“I would appreciate if An Post officials could meet with community representatives to address these concerns,” he concluded.

A statement to the Cork Independent from An Post explained: “We advertised the contract on two occasions but received no applications and no interest in the vacant contract. Our postmaster wishes to exit the High Street contract on Saturday 5 March. We have no alternative but to close the High Street office on that date and transfer customers in receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protections to South Douglas Road Post Office.”

The statement added: “Customers will move initially to South Douglas Road, less than one kilometer away, and will then have the option of transferring to other offices in the area including Albert Road, Friars Road, Ballinlough Post Office or our Cork city office.

“We apologise to customers for an inconvenience but will do all we can to ensure a seamless transfer to other post offices in the area.”

The postmaster at the High Street office is also the postmaster in Albert Road. An Post said it has advertised this contract “but are confident of appointing a new contractor”.