Downpatrick Post Office reopens following flood

Downpatrick Post Office reopens following flood

9 October 2024

DOWNPATRICK’S new-look Post Office has reopened almost a year after it was submerged in flood water and forced to close.

The Market Street business was one of many in the town centre that suffered heavily as a result of the devastating flood after the Quoile river burst its banks last November.

Businesses were left with huge repair bills as the flood engulfed Downpatrick’s retail and commercial heart, with many properties closed for months and the repair bill reported to be in excess of £12m.

Up to 50 businesses were impacted by the flood with some swamped with up to six foot of contaminated water.

The new Post Office has relocated back to its former home at the Grove shopping centre.

Delighted manager Gareth Latus said: “The Post Office looks great.

“It’s modern and brighter than before and in a better, more accessible, location than the temporary shop that the branch had been based in.”

He continued: “It’s been quite a year, but family and staff have been great helping to set up the temporary premises, then moving back to our original location. People are very positive about our new-look shop and have been very supportive.”

The temporary Post Office operated at an empty shop at the shopping centre to maintain services to the community. 

In fact, the empty unit was one of the few units that had been spared from flooding as it was on slightly higher ground. Downpatrick Post Office had been operated by the same postmaster, Frank Latus, for the past 33 years. 

His son, Gareth, has worked alongside him for many years and is the full-time manager and worked with Post Office to set up the temporary branch.

Post Office area manager, Timmy Grant, said was “great news” that Downpatrick Post Office has re-opened at its original location. 

“The fully-refitted shop is light and airy, well-stocked and looks welcoming. We know how important a Post Office is to a community and we were grateful that there was an empty shop for a temporary location.”

Long-serving postmaster, Frank Latus, has actually clocked up 42 years’ service at two Post Offices in Northern Ireland – firstly at Tullycarnet in Belfast and then in Downpatrick.

He had worked as a civil engineer, but decided to take on his own business with his wife Ivy in 1981 in Tullycarnet.

Ten years later in October 1991, Frank became the first postmaster for Downpatrick Post Office when the Crown Post Office was franchised. 

A few years later, he moved the business to the Grove shopping centre so that he could add a newsagents’ business.