Sunday collections end

After 17 years, Royal Mail is set to abolish Sunday postal collections throughout the UK from October 28.

With low volumes of mail posted on Sunday the cost of providing this service is disproportionately high.

Claire Prosser, the policy executive at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, which includes Swindon, said: “As the vast majority of Royal Mail’s 115,000 letter boxes have never had a Sunday collection, the abolition of this service will have little effect on business.

“Only 50 UK businesses currently have a Sunday collection service, representing only 0.74 per cent of total volume.

“This means that it costs four times as much to handle Sunday post than items collected on other days.

“Royal Mail’s proposals may affect a minority of customers; however there are many clear benefits that abolition of this service will have.

“The reduction in Royal Mail’s overall operating costs will increase the assurance that the service can be delivered at an affordable price.

“It will also help reduce carbon emissions of approximately 10,000 ton per annum.

“Royal Mail must however tread carefully: With continued strikes, decrease in service and increase in costs, many loyal customers may lose confidence in Royal Mail, further spurring them to adopt the services of Royal Mail’s competitors.”