Consumer Focus Post has today welcomed the Finance Minister, Nigel Dodd’s plan to provide rate relief for post offices in Northern Ireland. This proposal will see post offices in Northern Ireland benefit from a similar rate relief scheme that is already in place in other areas of the UK.
Chris Thirkettle from Consumer Focus Post said: “We are pleased to see the moves the Finance Minister has made to secure the viability of the post office network in Northern Ireland. However, further government initiatives are still required if local post offices are to prosper. The Post Office is a trusted organisation that provides both social and economic value to our local communities.
This proposal to provide rate relief to post offices should help to strengthen and protect the post office network from further closures and will ensure that Northern Ireland consumers still have vital access to post office services. “
Notes to Editors
1. Consumer Focus Post is a statutory organisation that champions the interests of postal consumers across Northern Ireland. Consumer Focus Post started operating on 1st October 2008.
For further details please see our website: http://www.consumerfocus-post.org.uk/
2. There are currently 492 post office outlets in Northern Ireland.
3. Further details on NI Executive press release see – http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dfp/news-dfp-110509-dodds-moves-to.htm
