by Marianne Flood
The Post Office has confirmed it is committed to maintaining a branch in Rosemount after concerns were raised over its future earlier this week.
The Post Office in Park Avenue in Rosemount is currently run by a local business man, but it is understood he will give up the position in October.
The building, which houses the Post Office and a flat, has now been advertised for sale or let.
You cannot buy or sell a Post Office and Post Office Limited determines who can operate them through a detailed appointment process.
A spokesperson for the Post Office commented: “We are aware that the postmaster at Park Avenue has expressed an interest in leaving and has put the business on the market.
“We would like to reassure customers that the Post Office is committed to maintaining a Post Office service in the area and will work hard to ensure this.”
Local independent Councillor Darren O’Reilly says the Park Avenue Post Office is at the heart of the local community.
“The Post Office in Rosemount provides a really valued service and residents are very anxious that the service is maintained,” he said.
“The nearest Post Office in Creggan or the General Post Office, but a lot of people would struggle to get there due to ill health or mobility problems.”
Mr O’Reilly said local shops and businesses would also suffer if the Post Office closes.
“People go the Post Office to collect their benefits and then they will spend that money in the shops,” he continued.
“Rosemount used to be a village and it’s very parochial in that sense.
“It still has its own chemist and butchers and so on, but the closure of the Post Office would be a major loss.
“I would hope that someone will come forward and want to take it on.
“An organisation can’t take it on as a social enterprise it has to be an individual with the right expertise.”
The Post Office website says modern postmasters are ‘successful business owners with a strong community purpose’.
“The most successful postmasters integrate Post Office branches into vibrant retail environments and regularly engage with their local community.
“We do provide training and support to enable you to operate a Post Office to the highest standards.
“We would expect you to have a strong commercial focus and ability to lead and motivate a team of staff to deliver commercial success.”
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