Tag: Royal Mail

Postcomm announces simplification of licensing framework (UK)

Posted by | Jan 16, 2008 | |

Postcomm has announced changes that will simplify procedures for licensing non-universal service operators. (The universal service is the geographically uniform postal service that is provided by Royal Mail.)

In 2007, Postcomm responded to suggestions that its current licensing arrangements did not go far enough in facilitating market entry for some small and medium sized potential mail operators. A consultation was launched on proposals to move to less prescriptive licensing for those seeking to enter the postal services market. Several of these amendments were meant to eliminate unnecessary regulation, thus helping to encourage competition to the benefit of all customers.

Amendment of the 2006 licensing framework:
– a reduction in application fees from GBP 1,000 to GBP 50, which it is hoped will help encourage small businesses to enter the market, and
– the removal of the licence requirement on all licensees to have guarantees or contractual arrangements in place to ensure the delivery of mail if an operator fails so that, in future, other operators can respond directly to what the market demands, rather than to regulatory requirements.
– Postcomm believes that effective competition can better protect the interests of postal customers than regulation and is aiming to ensure that its licensing rules support the developing competitive market. Nothing being proposed will affect Postcomm’s ability to enforce licence conditions or lead to any substantial reduction in protection for mail customers.

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Royal Mail offers chocolate mailpacks (UK)

Posted by | Jan 16, 2008 | |

Royal Mail is stepping up its efforts to get companies to use direct mail by creating a new personalised mailpack made entirely of chocolate.

The pack aims to demonstrate to businesses the benefits of enhancing brand communications by engaging more senses through direct mail initiatives with its own chocolate mailing.

It includes an engraved personalised message and a brochure with a heat-sensitive cover. The ‘chocolate letter’, created by Proximity London, demonstrates the sensory experience of direct mail, and also gives examples of best-practice sensory direct mail from around the world.

The campaign follows Royal Mail’s partnership with Brand Sense, the sense branding specialists, to develop a solution which will enable brand managers to connect with customers to engage three or more of the senses through direct mail.

The “chocolate letter” pack is being sent to senior marketers at 1,000 of the top UK businesses and their creative agencies. It aims to demonstrate how direct mail is more effective than any other channel in engaging all five senses by creating emotional and more profitable connections with customers.

Royal Mail head of media development Antony Miller says: “Direct mail has for a long time been typecast as a predominantly response driven marketing medium by many. So, with this campaign we really wanted to shatter this misconception and demonstrate the flexibility of the medium by showing how it can enhance brand engagement and build deep and meaningful relationships with consumers.”

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Consultation Starts On Changes To Post Office Network – Post Office Ltd announces plans for Newport and Gwent Valleys

Posted by | Jan 15, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd opened a six-week local public consultation on its Area Plan for the Newport and Gwent Valleys area. In line with the criteria and factors set by the UK Government in its Response Document (DTI The Post Office Network, Government response to public consultation May 2007, the Area Plan proposes future provision of Post Office services through a network of 126 Post Office® branches across the Newport and Gwent Valleys area, including establishing three new innovative Outreach service points, but to close 25 existing branches. (See full list below).

Under the proposals, more than 99.6 pct of the area’s population will either see no change, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

Post Office Ltd is now seeking views on the proposed future service provision in the area, in particular views on access to Post Office services, the accessibility of alternative branches to those proposed for closure. Consultation is due to end on February 25, 2008.

The UK Government has already undertaken a 12-week national consultation before reaching a decision to reduce the UK-wide network of Post Office branches by up to 2,500 from its current level of over 14,000, while continuing to provide funding (subject to EU state-aid clearance) to support a more sustainable network in the future. The proposals now published support the national accessibility criteria introduced by the UK Government.

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Post Office UK cuts mortgate rate

Posted by | Jan 15, 2008 | |

The Post Office® today announced an interest rate cut to its three year fixed rate mortgage to 5.48 per cent – making it the best mortgage deal of its kind on the high street.

This is the second rate cut to the Post Office®’s three year fixed rate mortgage in two months, and the third since its launch in November 2007 when it offered a rate of 6.09 per cent.

The mortgage continues to carry its low fixed arrangement fee of just GBP 399 and can be taken out on up to 95 per cent of a home’s value. There is no higher lending charge or extended tie-in, giving Post Office® customers a market leading deal.

The three year fixed rate deal is part of a range of mortgages being trialled by the Post Office® in selected branches in the North of England.

Post Office® has also slashed the rates of its three year fixed buy-to-let and self-certification mortgages to 5.99 per cent.

Post Office® director of lending Gary Fitton said: “These new rate cuts put our mortgage range at the top of the comparison tables, further proving our commitment to offering customers transparent and excellent value for money products.

The mortgage trial, launched in September 2007, follows a succession of well-received financial product launches by the Post Office® which is now the fastest growing financial services provider in the UK. It has already attracted more than one million customers with its easy to understand and good value products.

Post Office® Mortgages are provided in conjunction with Bristol and West, the Bank of Ireland’s lending arm. As a responsible lender, the Post Office® applies strict lending criteria and enforces appropriate checks before an offer is made.

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Postcomm asks for views on the regulatory framework for postal services from 2010

Posted by | Jan 15, 2008 | |

Postcomm is considering how, and to what extent, it should regulate Royal Mail from 2010 onwards, when its current price control is due to be replaced.

The regulator wants to begin by taking a ‘top down’ approach, based on what was learned from last year’s Strategy Review, before focusing on detail later on in the process. Most specifically, Postcomm wants to consider whether adopting a different approach could allow a significant reduction in the scope of regulation, whilst maintaining sufficient protection for customers and operators in those areas where Royal Mail has substantial and enduring market power.

An initial letter, issued to stakeholders, sets out a number of possible approaches and seeks feedback on the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Postcomm is also looking for stakeholders’ views as to what other measures might be needed to ensure that a proposed approach would be effective.

Responses to this initial consultation should be sent to Postcomm by Friday 14 March 2008. Following this consultation, Postcomm will carefully consider responses, before publishing initial proposals for changes to the regulatory framework around June 2008.

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