Bigger, brighter, better UK post offices delayed –

Much needed investment to create bigger, brighter, better post offices has been lying idle for 3 years.

A year ago Postwatch, the watchdog for postal services, wrote to the Chief Executive of Post Office Limited to express concern at the delay in carrying out work to upgrade post offices.

Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, has again had to write to Chief Executive of Post Office Limited to express Postwatch’s continued frustration that, as at the end of August, only £13 million of £30 million made available from Government had been spent. Work is incomplete in 72 per cent of the branches where improvements were promised.

During the Urban Network closure programme, which ran from November 2003 to March 2005, Post Office Limited promised improvements would be made to 2485 post offices. These were surviving post offices that needed to be upgraded in various ways (more counter positions, better lighting, improved access for disabled customers etc). As at the end of August the promised improvements had only been completed at 709 branches.

The delay in completing the promised works had already been criticised by the Trade and Industry Committee. In its July 2004 report, “Post Office Urban Network Reinvention Programme” it concluded:

63. It is regrettable that the allocation of investment grants and the subsequent upgrades to receiving post offices has not kept pace with post office closures. It is essential that such upgrades are implemented quickly to reduce the impact on customers whose local post office branch is closed.”

Peter Carr, commenting on the lack of progress said: “Post Office Limited have been quick to close post offices but slow at investing in those that remain. We are constantly told all the £30 million has been ‘allocated’ but the reality is that only £13 million has been spent after 3 years.

“In many cases Postwatch, MPs, local residents and others only agreed to a closure on the basis that nearby post offices would be upgraded. Customers have been let down.

“DTI who are responsible for giving the £30 million should insist that a completion schedule be published.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. 2413 post offices were closed under the Network Reinvention Programme.
2. The Government grant is dependent on equivalent investment by the sub-postmaster.