The current sub-postmaster at Port St Mary Post Office will continue in his role to ’avoid a potential break in service’ while a replacement is found.

As well as this, the time frame to find a new sub-postmaster for Port St Mary Post Office has been extended.

Rushen MHKs Juan Watterson and Michelle Haywood have ’welcomed the decision’ by the Post Office Board to provide more time to find a replacement for the current sub-postmaster who is due to step down from the role after nine years in charge.

The late interested party now has until October 26 to apply following the reopening of the Request For Quotes (RFQ).

This means Jeff Calvert, sub-postmaster for the Port St Mary Post Office, will continue his post while the procurement process takes place to avoid and limit a potential break in service should there be a suitable alternative provider found.

Mr Calvert had already extended his contract for services after originally giving notice to terminate his contract in July 2020.

Isle of Man Post Office stressed that ’there remains no guarantee a workable solution can be found at this stage’.

This all follows after no-one responded to a two-week tender process last month to find someone new for the role.

In a statement released by Mr Watterson and Dr Haywood following the extension, they said they were ’always astonished that the expression of interest process seemed not to support a sensible way forward for Port St Mary Post Office’.

It continued: ’It failed to recognise the reality of submitting a bid.

’The commitment by the existing sub-postmaster Jeff Calvert and his staff to keep the counter service open and running during this time is to be applauded.

’We hope that a new sub -postmaster will be appointed soon and this signals the long-term continuation of services to the port.’

Mr Calvert said: ’I am delighted to be able to continue in service as sub-postmaster of Port St Mary Post Office.

’This will allow for the Expression(s) of Interest to be fully explored and to allow the process of procuring a new sub-postmaster time to reach a conclusion.

’I am particularly grateful to all our staff at Calvert Newsagents Ltd, who have also agreed to continue in their present roles, which we hope will allow the matter to reach a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned.’

Mr Calvert previously stressed the withdrawal of the Post Office counter would not mean the closure of his Bay View Road newsagents which it sits within.

The RFQ exercise has a week left to run.

Any interested parties are required to submit the relevant documentation by 12pm on October 26.

This is for the Isle of Man Post Office Board to consider the responses and their suitability.