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Post office closures confirmed Post office closures confirmed
(20 minutes later)
As many as 200 post offices in Northern Ireland may be closed after Government announcement. As many as 200 post offices in Northern Ireland may be closed after a government announcement.
Wendy Cairns, of the Northern Ireland Federation of Subpostmasters, said an estimation of 200 closures in Northern Ireland would be "fair enough". Trade Secretary Alistair Darling confirmed plans for the closure of about 2,500 post offices across the UK.
Trade Secretary Alistair Darling confirmed plans for the closure of about 2,500 post offices in the UK. Wendy Cairns, of the Northern Ireland Federation of Subpostmasters, said an estimation of 200 closures in Northern Ireland would be "fair enough". However, the exact number of closures and whereabouts in Northern Ireland will not be known for some time.
However, the exact of closures and where in Northern Ireland will not be known for some time. Ms Cairns said Stormont could be the key to saving what post offices remain after the cuts.
Ms Cairns said Stormont could be the key to saving what post offices remain after the UK-wide cuts were announced on Thursday. "It's now about securing the 300 or so post offices that remain after today," she said.
"It's now about securing the 300 or so post offices that remain after today. "Our MLAs, by giving us admin work such as dog licensing or just general form checking, could prove vital," she said.There are approximately 540 post offices at present in Northern Ireland, with many, especially rural ones, seen as being at the heart of communities.
"Our MLAs, by giving us admin work such as dog licensing or just general form checking, could prove vital," she said.
Making the announcement, Alistair Darling said 4 m fewer customers were using post offices every week than two years ago and it was losing £4m a week.Making the announcement, Alistair Darling said 4 m fewer customers were using post offices every week than two years ago and it was losing £4m a week.
There are approximately 540 post offices at present in Northern Ireland, with many, especially rural ones, seen as being at the heart of communities.
A spokesman for Royal Mail in Northern Ireland said: "The Government has now come to a decision about the future shape and size of the UK's Post Office network.A spokesman for Royal Mail in Northern Ireland said: "The Government has now come to a decision about the future shape and size of the UK's Post Office network.
"Post Office Ltd's task now is to look carefully at the strict criteria set by the Government and plan how best to implement them across the country. "Post Office Ltd's task now is to look carefully at the strict criteria set by the Government and plan how best to implement them across the country."
"In doing that we will work very closely with Postwatch, the body representing Post Office users, both to plan for an accessible and sustainable network based on the criteria, and to consult and inform local users about the changes taking place as a result of the government decision."