Sinn Féin welcome Old Throne reprieve

The Greater Whitewell community is celebrating after news that the Old Throne Post Office is not to shut after-all
In April that the Old Throne outlet was one of 96 post offices earmarked for closure throughout the North.
Based on an interface, MLAs, councillors and community groups said its closure would destroy communities on both sides of the divide and ruin years of hard work in the area.
North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said it would have been scandalous to remove such an essential service on an interface.
But in light of the news the Carlisle Circus and Cavehill branches were to close, Carál said the Old Throne victory was ‘bitter sweet’.
“It is great to see that Post Office bosses listened to our protestations and decided to keep this branch open but this victory has a sour note because of the other closures in North Belfast,” she said.
“Carlisle and Cavehill also deserved to be kept open, especially in an area like Carlisle where there is supposed to be significant regeneration going on.
“Closing a vital cross-community post office doesn't sit well with regeneration.”
Sinn Féin councillor for the area Tierna Cunningham shared Carál and Unionist MLA Fred Cobain's delight about Old Throne.
“Our concerns were listened to, the community are delighted and this is a great example of people power,” she said.
Only four post offices across the north will remain open following a six-week consultation period, the first closures are scheduled for July.