Honours for top Post Office branches
Two Post Office(R) branches have beaten stiff competition from 14,600 branches across the UK to take the accolade of the best in the country.
The prize for best sub Post Office(R) went to West Monkseaton branch near Whitley Bay. Subpostmasters Andrew and Joan Thompson were praised by their customers not only for their excellent customer service, but also for their community spirit in raising funds for local charities such as the local air ambulance and deaf and blind associations.
Two Post Office(R) branches have beaten stiff competition from 14,600 branches across the UK to take the accolade of the best in the country.
Post Office Ltd.
Meanwhile Belfast City branch took the title of best directly managed Post Office(R) branch. The judges were particularly impressed with the praise received from customers for the team's ability to offer a one-stop shop. In particular, they won plaudits for their enthusiastic and informed approach in providing advice and support on the 170 Post Office(R) products and services on offer.
Post Office(R) Chief Executive David Mills said: "The awards are a showcase for the best Post Office(R) branches nationwide. The record number of entries confirms how communities large and small around the country not only rely on their local Post Office(R) branch but appreciate and value the service they receive from our people.
"The Post Office(R), in turn, greatly values its customers. We are determined to provide even better service in future. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. I am proud to pay tribute today to the winners – they deserve the accolades they are receiving, not just from the Post Office(R) but from their customers."
There were also three special categories: sales, customer service and community. Three branches each won prizes for outstanding performance in sales and customer service. Along with the overall winners they were honoured at a presentation lunch in central London.
The overall winners received a gold plaque and a total prize value of GBP5,000. All other winners received a plaque and an overall prize value of GBP2,250. Prizes were paid in gift vouchers of the winners' choice.
Best Post Office(R) Category Winners
Customer Service Award Winners:
Newington Post Office(R) branch in Annan West Monkseaton Post Office(R) branch in Whitley Bay, Leasowe Post Office branch(R) in the Wirral.
Sales Award winners:
Belfast City Post Office(R) branch Bedworth Post Office(R) branch in Coventry Cross Hills Post Office(R) branch in Keighley.
Community Award winner:
Gilberdyke Post Office(R) branch in Humberside
www.postoffice.co.uk
About the Post Office(R)
With 14,600 branches across the country, the Post Office(R) is the UK's largest retail and financial services chain in the UK. Its network is larger than all of the UK's banks and building societies put together. Around 94 per cent of the UK population lives within a mile of a Post Office(R) branch and 28 million customers visit every week.
In conjunction with its partners, the Post Office(R) offers over 170 products and services including travel and financial services (including personal loans, car, home and travel insurance and a new "2 in 1" credit card), banking services, bill payments, HomePhone (its home telephone service), lottery products, licence applications, phonecards and mobile phone top-ups, and postal services. It is the largest supplier of foreign currency in the UK and is a leading provider of travel insurance.
The Post Office(R) is also the biggest cash handler in the country – with more than GBP92 billion passing through its hands each year. 17p in every GBP1 in circulation goes through a Post Office(R) branch and around 400 million household bills are paid at Post Office(R) branches each year.
In the year ending March 2005, Post Office Ltd's total turnover was GBP1,287 million. Post Office Ltd is a separate limited company within the Royal Mail Group.
To find out where your nearest Post Office(R) branch is call +44-(0)8457-223-344.
Post Office Ltd: +44-(0)20-7250-2468, 148 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HQ
