UK Royal Mail to end newspaper registration service

Royal Mail will withdraw the Newspaper Registration Service on 30 September 2004 because it is loss-making and has become obsolete.

The service, which now has around 400 customers, was launched in the early 1800s to help publishers spread education and political awareness throughout the population. For a small annual registration fee, currently £7.35, publishers obtain First Class service at Second Class prices to send out newspapers. This means that other mail users are subsidising the service.

Royal Mail offers a range of alternative, discount services for publishers. The company is informing all affected customers, providing six months notice, so that they can make alternative mailing arrangements.