Brookeborough Post Office, located in McClave’s Spar and Newtownbutler Post Office based in McCabe’s Supervalu will undergo extensive refurbishment to their branches. When the new post offices open officially on Tuesday, August 11 customers will benefit from a newly modernised service and longer opening hours.

From Monday to Friday the Brookeborough Post Office will be open from 7.30am to 10pm, with the service on Saturday 8am to 10pm and Sunday 8am to 8pm.

Newtownbutler people will also avail of longer hours as Monday to Saturday the post office will be open from 8.30am to 9.30pm and on Sundays from 9am to 9pm.

Brookeborough man Gerry Hanna is delighted his local post office is not only being retained, but is being refurbished.

“I would use that shop on a daily basis. To a small community like Brookeborough the post office would be very important. It’s in the shop and it’s very handy.

“The post office is a big thing for older people and taking these services away from those who really need them is bad. The news is a big boost.

“It’s good to see in the town, it’s a good news story for us. It could be a lot worse, they could be taking it out and then you would have to travel some distance for the service, which would be difficult, especially if you don’t have a car.”

However Benny McClave, who owns McClave’s Spar in Brookeborough gave a guarded welcome to the work.

“We all preferred it the way it was. It’s not going to be to our advantage in any way. From 7amto 10pmthere now has to be one trained member who can do the post office. For those hours there’s no need for it. It’s definitely a good service as far as the customer is concerned, but as far as we’re concerned we’re losing out.”

Declan McCabe, of McCabe’s Supervalu, Newtownbutler explained that the work at the post office is part of a major renovation of the store, which has already created 35 new parking spaces and when completed will offer increased floor space.

“We’re doing a major renovation here.

In terms of the post office it is moving from the back of the shop to the front of the shop and should be more convenient for customers. The longer hours will also make a big difference, we’ll be open to 9pm every night.

“It means now you’ll be able to get your post seven days a week. It used to not be open Sunday and they’re used to be a half days on Saturday and Wednesday.”