Former bank site ‘ideal premises’ for local post office

IN October 2021 Bank of Ireland closed it’s Ballyfermot branch, which led to more people using their local post office to conduct business.

Ballyfermot has seen various financial institutions in the area leave or downgrade their services over the years.

Postal services at Le Fanu Shopping Centre take place at a premises that is far too small and “unfit for purpose” according to Cllr Vincent Jackson (Ind).

At the Dublin South Central area meeting, Cllr Jackson urged that the committee request An Post to look at the Ballyfermot site and identify a more suitable location.

Since the closure of the BOI building, Jackson believes it is the “ideal premises” for An Post to operate from in the area.

“I witness on a daily basis, long queues of people outside the post office which is not up to scratch. It’s a tiny little office, there is one seat in the whole office.

“You are dealing with people in their 80s and 90s, people with limited mobility.

“They have a path of about 12 inches to step up from the car park to even get into the post office from the raised pathway,” said Cllr Jackson at the meeting.

“There is a branch of the Bank of Ireland on main street which is most definitely fit for purpose that would be a better fit for the people in the area.

“Post offices are taking on all the work that banks used to do.

“Great taking all this business but you have to provide the premises.

“I wouldn’t bank in a post office, there is no privacy whatsoever, everybody knows your business, particularly in a small little office like this for a very large area.”,