CLOSING…the Spar shop in Lisnaskea where the Post Office is currently located.
THE Lisnaskea Spar store, which is located at the junction of Main Street and the Derrylin/New Bridge Road closed week, with the loss of 4 full-time and 10 part-time staff.
Its owners, Henderson Wholesale, said the business had been ‘generating a significant loss’ and was no longer economically viable.
At present, Lisnaskea post office operates in-store, inside the premises and it will continue to do so until it relocates next month to a new, in-store location at Costcutters at the far end of Main Street.
Last week, householders began receiving letters from Post Office confirming the new relocation.
Meanwhile, a spokesman from Henderson Wholesale yesterday confirmed the closure of the store as from Thursday last, 30th April. (The store was open the next day, Friday but, by that evening, all the shelves had been cleared).
The spokesman stated: “Henderson Wholesale acquired Spar Lisnaskea from its previous owners in October 2012, and since then the Henderson Wholesale team and our store staff have worked tirelessly to turn the business around from a loss-making position.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, and amid an extremely competitive local retail market, the business is generating a significant loss and it is no longer economically viable to continue trading.
“The recent announcement that the Post Office has decided to leave the store in the near future is the latest blow and, therefore, it is with very deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cease trading from Thursday 30th April.
“This will unfortunately result in job losses for four full- and 10 part-time staff.”
Jean McVitty, the press officer for Lisnaskea Chamber of Commerce said the closure wasn’t even mentioned at last week’s monthly meeting, held prior to closure.
“It is sad to see any business closing down but the business had diminished and I suppose it was on the cards anyway.” But, she welcomed the relocation of the Post Office to the Costcutters store.
“The chamber and the community in Lisnaskea disagreed with the post office going to Spar in the first place. There was no proper parking and it was near a mini-roundabout that was used by very heavy and very long vehicles and, at times, it was dangerous.
“At least, now, it will be beside a pedestrian crossing, with parking for disabled users and much more central for the community.” There are 24 independently owned and 3 franchised Spar stores in Fermanagh.
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