Post Office (UK) confirms branch closure decision making approach

Post Office Ltd confirmed the approach it will take to finalising decisions regarding branch closures and other changes to existing branches following the Local Public Consultation process which is now underway in some parts of the UK.

During each public consultation significant correspondence is received from stakeholders and information arising from this correspondence is carefully considered against prescribed Government criteria and factors when final decisions are made. Additionally, Post Office Ltd has set up with Postwatch, the consumer body representing customers, a three stage review process for these decisions, with increasing seniority of the respective management teams participating in each stage, culminating in a member of Post Office Ltd’s board and the Postwatch Chair (or their appointed deputy).

Furthermore, after stage 3, Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail Group, will review any unresolved cases at the request of Postwatch.

Allan Leighton said, “Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always exceptionally difficult. I know it will always cause concern to many of our customers. We are absolutely committed to examining the most difficult decisions at the highest level, to make sure that all the information available has been considered and that the criteria set by the Government have been met.”

Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, commented, “I welcome this development to Post Office Ltd’s consultation review process. Allan Leighton, as chair of the Royal Mail Group and the most senior voice in the Company, will now act as final arbiter in the case of particularly controversial and contested closure decisions which Post Office and Postwatch cannot resolve bilaterally.

This demonstrates how serious the Company is about the proper handling of what is necessarily a difficult process.”