Ramsey Town Commissioners have reaffirmed their support of a Ramsey postal cooperative.

At the board’s February meeting a unanimous resolution was passed, in private, supporting the principle proposals of the Ramsey cooperative to operate a sub-post office in the Courthouse premises.  This resolution was subsequently brought into the public minute of the meeting held on Wednesday March 18th.

The move follows the Isle of Man Post Office’s proposal, announced last year, to close the Courthouse site in Parliament Street and transfer postal services to the local Spar under an agreement with the convenience store’s operator, Mannin Retail Limited.

Commissioners’ chairman Captain Nigel Malpass has been a leading figure in the cooperative group since plans were first mooted. He said: ‘Members have been united in their opposition to Isle of Man Post Office’s proposal from day one. Importantly, their views echo those expressed by the people of Ramsey at the two public meetings I chaired on the subject, when the proposed closure was roundly condemned.

‘Isle of Man Post Office’s decision would adversely affect the lives of many people in our town, a good number of whom are elderly. The post office in Ramsey is not merely a post office; its role is far more nuanced. It’s a vital part of the community, a social hub and the beating heart of our town. As such we are determined to do all we can to ensure its long-term survival.

‘I am optimistic that Ramsey’s strength of community spirit combined with the compelling business plan the postal cooperative team is working on can provide a viable and sustainable solution.’

The cooperative has secured an extension to the business plan submission deadline, now set at March 31st 2015.

Regular updates are provided on the SAVE Ramsey POST Office Facebook page.