Post Office to upgrade local branches

Two branches are to be upgraded locally as part of a major programme to convert the network to new-style outlets.

In addition, customers will be offered increased opening hours.

In a new concept, Post Office services will be available at both outlets seven days a week during business hours at each retail outlet.

Refurbishment is scheduled to take place at the Carnmoney and Abbots Cross branches next month.

Abbots Cross Post Office will have four serving positions three counter positions and a Post Office serving point at the retail counter.

The branch will be open from 9.00am until 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, while the Post Office service point will be available at the retail counter from 7.30am until 10.00pm, Monday to Sunday. This will give customers an additional 64 hours a week to access to Post Office products and services.

Customers will also be able to pay car tax at the upgraded outlet.

During refurbishment, the Abbots Cross branch will be closed from Wednesday October 2 and will reopen on Thursday October 10, at 1.00pm.

Shoppers are advised that the retail store will remain open as normal and customers can avail of Post Office services at Rathcoole Post Office, Vivo Store, 60 – 70 Rathmullan Drive and Cloughfern Post Office, 13 Kings Crescent, Newtownabbey.

In Carnmoney, the Post Office is based at the Co-Op store, at the Beverly Shops complex.

A Post Office serving point will be available at the retail counter during the shop’s opening hours.

An additional four counter positions will be available.

Following the changes , the Post Office will be open Monday to Saturday, from 9.00am until 5.30pm with additional services, Monday to Sunday: from 7.00am until 11.00pm, an increase of 60 hours per week and giving access to Post Office products and services seven days a week.

To enable work to take place, the Post Office branch will be closed on Thursday October 3 and will reopen again the following day at 9.00am.

During the refurbishment alternative Post Offices in the area are: Glengormley Post Office, Glenwell Service Station, 290 Antrim Road, Glengormley; Mossley Post Office, Crescent Corner, Old Mossley.

An internal hearing loop will also be made available for customers in both branches.

Post Office regional network manager, Suzanne Richardson, said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to customers of Carnmoney Post Office and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.

“The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to new-style branches and this investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The Post Office, now independent of Royal Mail, is the largest retail network in the United Kingdom with over 11,700 branches.

It is also one of the fastest growing financial services companies and is developing its online and telephone services.