An action group has been formed to call for Royal Mail to scrap plans to close a local Post Office branch.
The group, which consists of local politicians, community groups, and more is calling for the Duncairn Street Post Office on the Antrim Road to remain open.
It follows a proposal to close this branch and relocate the services to a new branch on the Crumlin Road.
Read more: North Belfast is 'unloved and left behind' by Council, locals claim
The Duncairn Street branch is frequented daily by many local residents, and elderly residents in particular, for whom the one mile journey to a Crumlin Road branch wouldn't be feasible.
People Before Profit Councillor for the area, Fiona Ferguson, said the post office is a vital resource to the local community and the move would represent a "massive blow."
She said: "Anyone who travels along the Antrim Road or uses this post office will know how vital a service it is to the immediate community, and what a blow its closure would be. This Post Office is frequented daily by many local residents, elderly people in particular.
“The proposal to close the post office on the Antrim Road is coupled with plans for a new branch on the Crumlin Road. This method of robbing Peter to pay Paul has led to the closure of many local services in recent years and should be opposed.
“We need more local services, not less. The Royal Mail handed over £400 million to shareholders last year alone, so the money is there to keep local services open.
"From the moment the Post Office launched a consultation on the proposed closure of the Duncairn Street branch there has been outrage among the local community.
"This service is absolutely vital to local residents, particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues from Cliftonville to the New Lodge, Tigers Bay and Newington. I am delighted that a local action group has been started and I am calling on the local community to keep up the momentum and build pressure to stop this closure."
Green Party Councillor for the Castle DEA, Mal O'Hara, said he's "deeply disappointed" by the proposal. He joined with other local politicians and community groups, such as the Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum, at the post office on Wednesday to voice their opposition.
He said: "The proposed relocation to the Crumlin Road will make the service inaccessible, particularly for older and vulnerable people. Almost 60% of households in the area do not have access to a car, there is no direct bus route to the proposed new location, there is no segregated cycle infrastructure and the area has some of the highest numbers of disabled people.
"In addition, the proposed new location is across an interface which may prevent some people from travelling. It is scandalous that the Post Office would propose closing the Post Office in the most deprived ward in Northern Ireland.
"Locally, this service encourages footfall along the vibrant rows of shops and small businesses in the Antrim Road community. Local business also use the service for banking.
"This service was a lifeline for many during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the Post Office has made the consultation online only, which further inhibits people from expressing their views.
"Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum brought together businesses, residents, community groups and political parties and I look forward to campaigning with them over the next few weeks to show the strength of opposition to this proposed closure and relocation."
A spokesperson for the Post Office said: "Post Office is proposing to relocate Duncairn Street Post Office to SPAR Stores, 135 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6AD.
"It would operate as a Post Local branch with two Post Office counters alongside the retail counter of the convenience store and petrol station which opened in January.
"The proposed move from 240 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 2AR, is with the agreement of the current long-serving postmaster.
"We’re proposing this move as part of the ongoing modernisation of our branch network. We are confident that introducing a local style branch alongside a successful retail store is the most effective way to safeguard sustainable Post Office services in the local community into the future.
"The proposed opening hours are Monday to Sunday: 8am – 8pm. This would be an extra 35 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week for the convenience of customers including all day Sunday and Saturday afternoon. There would be earlier opening and later closing.
"There is a dedicated customer car park for up to 20 cars located outside the store and a designated disabled parking bay outside the front of the shop
"There would be a marked pedestrian walkway, from the pavement in front of the forecourt to provide safe access to the entrance of the premises."
The public consultation closes on August 24 and can be found by clicking here.
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