A post office in Douglas is to shut.

The Crosby Terrace post office, which is in Laureston Terrace, will close at the end of August.

Sub postmaster Jack Coop has tendered his resignation to retire after almost 19 years of running the business.

The sub postmaster role will not be advertised, the Isle of Man Post Office says.

The closure of the Crosby Terrace business might be the first of a number of changes for the Post Office.

The Post Office is preparing an all-island public consultation to be issued during the summer, seeking feedback from customers about letter delivery service and the services provided through the network of post offices across the island.

A Post Office spokesman said: ’The digital era is changing the way people and businesses transact their postal business, leading to a sustained reduction in people using the counter-based services, a reduction in businesses wishing to offer counter services through the network, and a continued decline in letter mail.

’There has been a 47% drop in letter volume in the last 10 years.

’The Post Office network is loss making. Isle of Man Post Office is keen to work with the network of local businesses that act as sub postmasters to provide a modern, efficient service that meets the needs of the community, customers, and the customers of the broader Isle of Man Government and businesses that Isle of Man Post Office provide services for, in an innovative and financially responsible way.

’The output from the consultation will be used to inform the way Isle of Man Post Office provides its services in the future.’

Julie Edge MHK, chairman of Isle of Man Post Office said: ’We accept Mr Coop’s decision to retire and wish to express our sincere thanks to him for his exemplary loyalty and dedication to providing postal services to customers for such a long time.

’We recognise that customers will be saddened by the news and I’ve no doubt he will be much missed by his customers. We wish him and his family a long, healthy and happy retirement."

’Mindful of the change this will have on MiCard customers in particular, we are working closely with the social security division and the MHKs for Douglas East, Clare Bettison MHK and Chris Robertshaw MHK, to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.’

Mary Gaffney, general manager for retail and customer services at the Post Office said: ’We are ensuring the needs of customers are met and are in contact with the relevant organisations to help manage the change.

’We wish to ensure steps are taken to make the transition for customers to collect welfare payments from a different nominated post office is as smooth as possible. MiCard customers can, if they wish, choose to nominate a person to collect benefits/pensions on their behalf by way of a proxy.

A letter to all MiCard customers has been sent explaining the process they should follow.

’We are aware that many of Crosby Terrace post office’s customers reside across the Douglas area and when the office closes on August 31, there are a range of alternative post offices located within a two-mile radius of the office, as well as some in the surrounding areas, which customers will be encouraged to use.’