Post Box, outside 565 Ormeau Road, Belfast

This is an early twentieth century King George V cast-iron post box, located outside 565 Ormeau Road, Belfast, at the corner of St John’s Avenue. Originally, it likely stood in front of or near the former post office at number 513 Ormeau Road, which closed around 1990, suggesting the move to its current location occurred around that time. The post box is painted in ‘pillar box red’, with a black base and a fluted cap. It is approximately 5ft 0in high, with dimensions of 21in across the cap, 15½in across the shaft, and 17in across the base. The door is hinged on the left and features a raised cup handle and keyhole. A hooded rectangular aperture is at the top of the door for letter insertion, with a small holder above displaying the date of the next collection, labelled “NEXT COLLECTION” in raised letters. Below this is a notice plate holder for details of collection days and times; the box’s identification number (BT7 264) is also displayed. A ‘GR’ cipher, with a raised crown above and "POST OFFICE" below, is located below the notice plate holder. The cast-iron post box bears the maker’s name ‘CARRON COMPANY STIRLINGSHIRE’. It is a standard design characteristic of the Post Office and represents a time when post boxes were an important means of communication. Because it is not in its original location, it has not been considered for listing.