Royal Mail to offload its Derry Custom House Street branch

Royal Mail is set to offload its Derry Custom House Street branch, it has been revealed.

The Post Office plans to hand over its remaining directly-owned branches to franchisees by the autumn.

It confirmed that it is offloading 108 crown branches which are currently directly owned and run by the company, including its Derry branch.

The process could see the sites taken over by other businesses, while others could face closure as franchises are moved to different premises.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said that it is important that Derry’s Custom House Street Post Office branch is retained to support people who rely on the local service. 

Mr Eastwood has been in touch with the Post Office directly about the Custom House Street branch following their announcement that Directly Managed Branches (DMBs) will be transferred to franchisees by the Autumn. 

The former SDLP said: “The Custom House Street Post Office branch is a main hub in the city and I have been contacted by a large number of people concerned about its future following the announcement in November last year that Post Office was considering the future of 115 directly managed branches. 

“Today’s announcement will cause more uncertainty for workers and people who rely on the Custom House Street branch. What’s important right now is that staff at the post office are looked after and that services are maintained. 

“I have been in touch with senior directors at Post Office today to seek clarity on their proposals for this important hub and to make the case for our community. The information we have received today is that they plan to transfer the business to a franchisee by the autumn and they do not anticipate the branch closing.

"It is important that any process is conducted in close cooperation with workers, their unions and the local community. We cannot accept any reduction in service or staff.”