It was a great example of community spirit - but a proposal to save Ramsey's Post Office branch from closure has failed.
Local people joined forces to create a limited company, Ramsey Courthouse Limited (RCL), in a bid to retain services in the former courthouse building. It followed an announcement that both the Ramsey and Douglas main post offices would close to save money, with the branches moving into nearby Spar stores. A protest in Ramsey attracted hundreds of people (pictured).
Today, the Post Office said it would be advertising for a new partner to run Ramsey Post Office.
And RCL says it is 'tremendously disappointed' but could not agree mutally acceptable terms with the Post Office.
A spokesman for RCL said: 'It is with genuine regret that Ramsey Courthouse Ltd has to confirm that it will not be signing a contract with IOM Post Office to run a sub post office in Ramsey Courthouse.
'Extensive negotiations between the teams of both organisations have been taking place for some time, and whilst both groups were hopeful of a positive conclusion to these negotiations, it has not been possible to establish mutually acceptable terms of business.
'RCL would like to thank its supporters, particularly the Post Office employees who have been involved in this process, the Investors, all members of Ramsey Postal Co-operative and the members of the public who have expressed support and provided practical assistance to this community initiative.
'An immense amount of time, effort, knowledge and expertise has been given freely by so many people, and RCL is tremendously disappointed not to ?be moving forward with its original plan to operate such a significant service.
'Although RCL is saddened that it is not able to deliver the Isle of Man Post Office’s Counter Service in Ramsey, it is fully committed to working with Ramsey Town Commissioners to ensure the Courthouse remains a resource for the people of the north of the Island.'
Post Office chairman Graham Cregeen MHK said he regretted the strain the project had had on staff and the extended period of uncertainty for staff and customers, a situation, he said, that the Post Office sought to avoid from the outset.
He said: 'IOMPO remains committed to providing postal services in Ramsey. All post office services will continue as normal and customers will be unaffected. Our staff have continued to provide outstanding service to our customers throughout this whole process and will continue to do so.
'Savings still need to be achieved in order to protect and sustain the future profitability of IOMPO and therefore we will advertise as soon as possible to find a new partner to run Ramsey Post Office.'
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