Tag: Royal Mail

Decisions on Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Post Office Branches Announced

Posted by | Jan 9, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight following a six week public consultation ending on 26 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 300 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99.5 pct of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today means that 61 branches will close in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with the first closures scheduled to take place in February 2008. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 16 October 2007.

The replacement of eight branches by outreach solutions was also confirmed in principle today subject to final agreement with Postwatch. However for six of the branches, where Post Office Ltd is still to finalise detailed proposals a further consultation process will be held. Information on these proposals will be published shortly.

Following a review of issues raised during consultation Goodworth Clatford Post Office branch, originally proposed for closure will now remain open. Feedback showed concerns about a range of issues and that a disproportionate number of closures were proposed on the southern side of Andover, with the nearest branches to Goodworth Clatford – Anna Valley to the north and Leckford to the south – both being proposed for closure.

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Decision Announcement on Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute Area Plan

Posted by | Jan 9, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd today (January 9 2008) announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Greater Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll & Bute, following a six week public consultation ending on 3 December 2007.

Post Office® services will continue to be provided through a network of 264 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the UK Government and ensures that 99.9 pct of the area’s population will either see no change to their existing branch or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

The plan confirmed today also means that 40 branches will close within this area plan, with the first closures scheduled to take place in February. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 23 October 2007.

During this first six-week local public consultation, Post Office Ltd received around 5,665 responses and attended 35 meetings with customers and their representatives to understand customers’ concerns. This also helped to ensure that all information provided by customers formed part of the final decision regarding each affected branch in the area plan.

Four branches originally proposed for closure – Cultenhove in Stirling, Auchenback in Barrhead, Kelvindale and Hyndland in Glasgow – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation. These issues related to the factors of geography, the availability of local transport and access to alternative branches, local demographics and the impact on local economics.

During consultation, feedback relating to Kelvindale Post Office highlighted the lack of transport to one of the alternative branches at Hillhead. We also noted the regeneration plans by Tesco Plc to redevelop its store at Maryhill, which also hosts a Post Office branch.

Post Office Ltd has also removed Hyndland Post Office branch from the plan following further consideration into the proximity and impact on alternative branches and bus routes in the area.

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Rural post offices to be closed in Scotland

Posted by | Jan 8, 2008 | |

Proposals for the Highlands would see 18 branches closed and 11 replaced by reduced services.

The Post office said most residents in the area would see no change to their current service, or would be within a mile from an alternative branch.

The public has been asked for their views on the plans, which would see 180 Highland branches remain open.

Highland MSPs offered their support to communities which want to fight the proposals.

Proposals to axe 44 post offices in Glasgow, Argyll and Central Scotland have already been unveiled.

Plans for other parts of Scotland will be announced later in 2008.

Under the Highland plans, 11 outlets would be replaced by “outreach” operations which would see them become a mobile post office, or based in a shop, cafe or other business.

Another option would see a telephone service provide facilities such as parcel collection.

Labour Highlands and Islands MSP Peter Peacock said he was disappointed at the closure plans.

Sally Buchanan, the Post Office’s network development manager for Scotland, said: “Taking the decision to close any post office branch is always very difficult and we know will cause concern to many of our customers.

“We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on or has any concern with post office services is both fully aware of the changes we are proposing to meet UK Government requirements, and able to give views on how accessible services will be in the future.”

Up to 2,500 post offices will be axed across the UK, to put the network on a more viable footing.

The Highland proposals are open for consultation until 18 February.

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Local Consultations Start in the Highlands of Scotland on Changes to Post Office Network

Posted by | Jan 8, 2008 | |

Post Office Ltd today (8 January 2008) begins local public consultations in the Highlands of Scotland on changes to the Post Office network needed to meet UK Government requirements.

Proposals for the future provision of Post Office® services in the Highlands have been published today and will remain open for consultation for six weeks until 18 February 2008.

Under the Highlands Area Plan Proposals published today, 96.9 pct of the population will either see no change to their nearest branch, or will remain within one mile (by road distance) of an alternative branch.

Post Office Ltd is seeking views on the proposed future service provision in the Highlands of Scotland, including, in particular, views on access to Post Office® services, the accessibility of alternative branches to those proposed for closure and the appropriate provision of rural outreach services.

Of the 180 Post Office® branches which are proposed to remain open in the Highlands, 11 branches will be operated through a form of outreach service. The plan proposes a reduction of 18 branches from the present number of 198.

The Highands Area Plan includes proposed outreach services in rural communities in:

Kirkhill (Hosted)
Kessock (Partner)
Edderton (Hosted)
Kildary (Hosted)
Cawdor (As we have been unable to date to secure a Hosted site. A Mobile post office is now the proposed option)
Croy (Hosted)
Ardersier (Partner)
Farr (Hosted)
Latheron (Mobile)
Mid Clyth (Mobile)
Canisbay (Mobile)

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Environment minister raises concerns over DM industry (UK)

Posted by | Jan 7, 2008 | |

Environment minister Joan Ruddock has warned the direct marketing industry that it needs to improve its environmental record if it is to avoid legislation such as a mandatory opt-in for direct mail.

Ruddock set out the government’s views of DM’s environmental record in an exclusive interview in the January 2008 issue of Marketing Direct magazine. While she appreciated that “a lot of technical work has gone on” to make DM materials more environmentally friendly, she reminded the industry that opt-in for direct mail is “always on the table” if it doesn’t meet the recycling targets agreed with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs back in 2003.

She said direct marketers needed to ensure they are “on course” to achieve the second recycling target agreed timed for 2009.

The government would not impose opt-in “lightly… but we could not stand by if the industry made no further response”.

Having met with the Direct Marketing Association late last year, she said she was confident that direct marketers would respond. “We have established a relationship [with the DMA], but we want you to do more. We’re not singling out this industry — every industry and business across the land is being asked to do more for climate change.”

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