Petition to save Kirk Michael Post Office created

The petition is available to sign at local businesses around Kirk Michael

A resident in Kirk Michael has set up a petition to keep the Kirk Michael Post Office running.

Darren Lillie has set up the petition with the support of Michael District Commissioners.

At the moment I am working with the support of the Commissioners in setting up the petition, albeit as they are not permitted to start a petition. I have the support of my family and have put out a request for other local residents, if we have to collect signatures from around the community.  Initially we are gathering support from the existing businesses.

Darren said: “The main driving force for the petition is to prevent a further erosion of our local services.

“The post office is currently not under a closure order, but if there is no provision after the current postmistress retires in December, the fear is it will close.

“The petition is to raise community awareness of this and to gauge local appetite for the continuation of a post office in the village.

“Post Office management has indicated that it will advertise for interested parties to continue the service, but at present this has not happened, and time is ticking.

“Local residents and members of Michael District can sign the petition in any of our current local businesses. I would like to thank those businesses for agreeing to have a petition for this purpose.

“All being well, we will not have to submit our petition, if we get someone who will take over the operating of the post office, but whilst we await the outcome, it is important to raise awareness and to gather the community feeling.

“This is even more important given the current survey being conducted on behalf of the Post Office to shape the future of the service.”

The petition is available for people to sign, in; BCC Cars, Cannan Court, EVF Garage, Kirk Michael Pharmacy, Lee Mayers Butchers, Motors and Mowers, National Windscreens Olivia-Rose Salon, Parish Church, Quayle’s Stores, The Dovecote Tearoom and The Mitre Pub.

The commissioners published an open letter on Facebook that states: “On several occasions the post office had suggested that Michael District Commissioners might consider running the post office in the reduced form.

“This is not an option as our remit is to manage the local services, paid for by resident rates, not to subsidise a local business.”