RESIDENTS in Crosby now have access to post office facilities again after the introduction of a self service Pay&Post kiosk in The Crosby Hotel.
After the closure of the Crosby Post Office, in September last year, residents were left with no access to provision when the post office was unable to replace the sub-postmaster despite numerous attempts.
As a result the post office has installed the first Pay&Post machine outside of a post office environment.
Speaking at the launch on Monday Alan Crowe MLC, post office chairman, explained: "With the new technology available we have come up with the postal kiosk which is a very exciting introduction for any part of the Island. We hope it is used a lot as part of the community. It is a new and exciting venture for us all."
Residents are now able to post letters and packages, buy stamps and pay gas, telephone and electricity bills out of normal working hours.
Middle MHK Martyn Quayle said: "It is a fantastic opportunity to see this groundbreaking new development and to have this new technology which will, to some extent, replace some of the services that were available at the post office.
"This will be so helpful to the people of Marown so I congratulate the post office for facilitating this and for looking for new ingenious ways to allow for facilities to be available where, for one reason or another, they haven't been able to be continued."
Marty Quine, the general manager of the retail network for the post office, rejected claims that the machines were a move to phase out staff. He said: "We've had trouble replacing sub-postmasters. Our preference would be to replace them but with the likes of here we advertised and couldn't replace the sub-postmaster so this is seen as a way round."
The Crosby Post Office had been in the Gelling family for 119 years before it closed. Former sub-postmaster Do Gelling was the first person to use the new machine. She said: "As much as I don't like to see something like this coming, I'm not surprised. It's the way forward. So many people are out working all day, which they have to be, they're not around the village in the day."
The Crosby Pay&Post kiosk will operate as follows:
- 5.30pm to 11pm on Monday
- 12pm to 3pm and 4pm to 12am on Tuesday to Thursday
- 12pm to 12am on Friday and Saturday
- 12pm to 4pm and 8pm to 11pm on Sunday
Steven Taylor, head of pubs for Heron and Brearley Limited, said: "We are in a changing world and pubs as the post office needs to keep abreast of changing times so it seems only fitting that we are sharing this challenge together. I wish it every success."
The Isle of Man Post Office is also planning to launch two machines in other non-post office locations. These will be in Shoprite, Victoria Street, Douglas and the Wessex Garage also in Douglas.
Picture caption: L to R: Alan Crowe MLC - chairman of the post office, Peggy Irving - retail promotional assistant, Martyn Quayle MHK, Do Gelling - former sub-postmaster, and Geoff Corkish MHK - post office vice chairman.
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