Businesses react angrily to proposed British postal charges

Traders in mid-Somerset are angry at proposals by Consignia to charge businesses £14 per week to guarantee delivery of their mail by 9am.

Spokesmen are particularly concerned about the effect of the charge on small businesses, many of whom are already finding it hard enough to survive without having to absorb extra charges, they say.

Estate agent Andrew Edwards, who is Hon Secretary of Shepton Mallet Chamber of Commerce, said many businesses are not going to be able to afford to pay, but they will still need their early morning delivery.

He believes businesses will increasingly use alternative methods of communication such as faxes and electronic mail, bypassing Consignia completely.

Wells Chamber of Commerce Chairman Roger Dollins said he is totally against the charge, which he sees as a burden on businesses who are already over-stretched.

He believes the charge would not have been necessary had money spent on the change of name from Royal Mail to Consignia been invested in the business instead.

“A lot of businesses are dependent on having their mail first thing, ” he said.

Gentleman’s Outfitter John Philip, who is an executive committee member of Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, said: “Small businesses are finding it hard enough to survive as it is with the existing outgoings they have, and to try and absorb a further charge like this can only be detrimental.”