Harryville Post Office closes its doors
Thursday, 31 July 2008
James Finlay, Harryville Post Office Sub Postmaster, turns the key in the door for the last time on Tuesday of last week, when the Post Office shut down having been open in Harryville for 103 years. Looking are the staff Julie Wilson, Hanna McClean, Marga
A community's heart stops beating...
Harryville Post
Office closes its doors
THE 'heart of Harryville' stopped beating when Salisbury Square's Post Office was forced to permanently close its doors last week.
Despite a strong campaign to stave off the closure, the five members of staff and up to 1,000 customers are left without a "convenient" Post Office.
Trying to remain light-hearted about losing his livelihood, sub-postmaster, James Findlay, who managed the branch for the past four years said:
“We have had a fantastic run but all good things must come to an end. It is very disappointing and not just for the staff and myself. On a week to week basis we would have served between 800 and 1,000 customers so they are obviously upset that such a vital service is going."
Remarkably, given the circumstances, James retained a sense of bittersweet humour about the ordeal.
“We are, of course, now out of work so we'll have to join the unemployment line - perhaps we'll get to see what it's like on the other side of the counter," he said.
It was definitely very much a case of "you have to laugh or else you'd cry" especially for employees, Hanna McClean, Valerie Compton, Margaret Frazer and Julie Wilson, who have collectively put 36 years in to Harryville Post Office and are "devastated" by the closure.
All four women are years away from claiming a state pension and now have to start the arduous task of finding work again.
“We are now scouring the newspapers for jobs. It is a horrible position to be in. Our futures are so uncertain," said Valerie with Hanna adding: "I had seen myself working here for the rest of my working life. Now I don't know what to do."
The women also expressed their concern for their customers.
“Harryville Post Office was a way of life for some of these people. They would come in here and collect their money, perhaps pay a few bills before going to the chemist and the nearby shops," said Hanna.
“It was like a day out for a good few," added Valerie, "but now they have to trek to Ballee Post Office or the main one on Wellington Street."
“It is certainly going to make life difficult for some," agreed Julie.
All the staff at Harryville Post Office were in agreement that they were truly thankful for the petitions and, ironically, the letter writing supported by the public.
“In the end, though, it didn't do much good," said Hanna, "it is obvious that it didn't make a blind bit of difference to the consultation. Royal Mail had already made it's mind up."
This sentiment was echoed by Harryville councillor, Martin Clarke,
“It is a gross error that this has happen despite the campaign of petitions but it is clear that the Royal Mail had made their mind up before the joke of a consultation period had even started.
“And, although I don't particularly want to say it, I can see why Royal Mail closed some rural post offices but Harryville was so busy. It is ridiculous.
“This was definitely not a good day for Harryville. There's been a Post Office here for over 100 years. If they thought they needed one back then, there is definitely a need for one today especially with all the services that Post Offices now provide," he fumed.
Councillor Clarke added that he had visited the Post Office as James turned the key for the very last time and claimed that the auditors were already in.
“I spoke to the sub-postmaster and the employees on behalf of the people of Harryville and told them that their customers would be very sad to see them go. It is certainly a terrible blow for everyone in the area," he said.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail told the Guardian that the decision to cut Harryville's lifeline was "carefully considered."
“All Post Office branches are valuable to the communities they serve and taking the decision to close any branch, including Salisbury Square, is always very difficult," she said.
“We carefully considered all comments made during the public consultation period and believe that the plan announced on June 3 offers our customers across Northern Ireland the best prospect for a viable, effective and sustainable network that can meet the needs of communities into the future.
“The situation we face is that the majority of Post Office branches are loss making to Post Office Ltd and the overall losses for the business rose to some £3.5million a week last year."
She added that the decisions announced on June 3 for the Northern Ireland branch network meet the "stringent minimum access criteria" laid down by the Government and the other factors that Government had asked them to consider.
