A sub-post office that was repurposed as a testing centre during the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to take on a new function after it is returned to the Corporation of Hamilton.

The Perot Post Office on Queen Street is no longer required by the Bermuda Post Office, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Environment said.

A spokeswoman for the City of Hamilton confirmed that a revitalisation plan for the building is in place, and that returning the property to active use is a priority.

The post office was built in the 1800s by William Perot, who was the island’s first postmaster.

It was used more recently as a Covid-19 testing centre.

A public works and environment ministry spokesman said this week: “The building, which is owned by the Corporation of Hamilton, was previously operated as a sub-post office in the City of Hamilton by the Bermuda Post Office and is held on a long-term lease from the COH.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, it was repurposed as a testing centre by the Ministry of Health, with the consent of the COH.

“The space was relinquished once the Ministry of Health no longer required the site.

“The Bermuda Post Office also confirmed it no longer had operational use for the location.

“Following this, the Government's estates team entered discussions with the COH, resulting in a mutual agreement to make the property ready to return to the owner for more dynamic use.

“We are completing the agreed-upon remedial work to formally return the property to the COH by the end of September 2025.”

A City of Hamilton spokeswoman confirmed the details provided by the ministry.

She added: “The city has a revitalisation plan for the building that includes its repurposing.

“Once we complete the necessary upgrades, we will follow our mandated processes and established protocols — including the standard tendering process — to identify a dynamic use for the space that complements the surrounding area and delivers value to the city.

“Our priority is to see the building returned to active, productive use as soon as possible after the works are finished.”

It was announced in October 2018 that the Perot Post Office would close for renovations as the Philatelic Bureau was moved there from the General Post Office on Church Street.

A government spokeswoman said then that the shift was a “natural transition” as the building was regarded as one of the island’s “most iconic historical visitor attractions”.

The sub-post office reopened in January 2019 before its repurposing as a coronavirus testing facility the following year.

After the announcement in August 2020 that the building would be used to perform Covid-19 tests, the Bermuda Post Office said that it was “very pleased” to collaborate with the health ministry.

However, it added that the Perot Post Office had historical significance and in that regard, the BPO had fielded a number of queries from the public regarding the postal facility’s products and services.

The BPO said at the time: “As the community is aware, Perot Post Office is the official home of the Philatelic Bureau, where commemorative stamps and first-day covers are sold.

“Of late, however, due to the closure of Perot Post Office, the Philatelic Bureau has been distributing the commemorative collections from the General Post Office and other post office locations around the island.”

It said that the other services provided at the Queen Street site could also be accessed at all other postal locations across the island.

“The BPO recognises the appreciation that the community and avid stamp collectors have for the Perot Post Office, and anticipates that once the temporary use for the Covid-19 testing centre has concluded, normal services will resume at the historical postal location,” the organisation then added.