Businesses reminded that postcodes are on the way

Businesses have been reminded that time is running out if they want to get ahead of the curve to prepare for the arrival of Eircode, the world’s first random postal code.

The launch of the postal code system across the country is scheduled to take place over the last three weeks of July.

An Eircode will be sent to 2.2 million addresses during that period. Each code will consist of seven digits – a three-digit ‘routing key’, and 4-digit ‘unique identifier’, which will identify each house, flat and individual home in a rural townland. Two neighbouring houses will have two completely different codes.

While householders will not have to do anything when the new code is adopted, businesses are being advised to take advantage of the benefits of a postal code system.

They are being urged to display their Eircode on stationery, customer forms, websites and other places where the address is shown.

They should also consider making changes to their IT systems, so that Eircodes can be retained and displayed on screen and on printouts.

They should also investigate the benefits of a software package to manage databases with the new code.

The Galway Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting a seminar on Eircode for the business community next week, believes a unique postcode system will help businesses to provide more cost effective services around the country by doing away with lost or delayed deliveries.

Galway Chamber will host a free breakfast briefing with Eircode for businesses on Tuesday (June 16) in the Maldron Hotel, Oranmore from 8.30-9.30am. Email for registration to carol@galwaychamber.com