Douglas Council is trying to encourage tenants to pay their rent by direct debit or online.

So it’s cutting the time its cashiers’ counters are open.

From Tuesday, April 3, the counter will be open between 11am and 2.30pm Monday to Thursday and 11am to 4pm on Fridays.

They used to be open from 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Friday.

The changes come after the council improved its website, douglas.gov.im, allowing payments to be made online.

Council leader David Christian said: ’The revised hours reflect how more and more of our customers are opting for the ease of making online payments.

’We recognise, however, that not everyone has access to the internet and that there are those who prefer to conduct their business face-to-face.

’For these customers the counter service will continue to provide a convenient alternative.’

Payments outside the new counter hours can be made online or by direct debit.

To complete a form, visit douglas.gov.im.

For customers without internet access public computers are available at the Henry Bloom Noble Library in Duke Street, Douglas.

Direct debit forms can also be collected from the counters.

The council says that housing officers are available to meet with social housing tenants outside of the new hours if required by telephoning the council’s housing office on 696435 to make an appointment.