THE Royal Mail is to launch trials of new “delivery patterns” which will lead to post arriving later and the ending of second deliveries, it was announced today. The changes, to be tested in 14 areas of the UK, will mean a single delivery arriving by lunchtime. The plans, due to be extended across the country from the autumn, are expected to lead to job losses among postal workers.
Read MoreLeaders of a million businessmen and women who work from home tonight attacked plans to deliver post later in the day and end second deliveries. The Royal Mail said the changes, to be tested in 14 areas of the UK, will mean a single delivery arriving by lunchtime. Royal Mail said some people will receive later deliveries, although others could see no change, or even have post delivered earlier than at present.
Read MoreThe profitable – or otherwise – monopoly of the Post Office is about to be challenged by the Birmingham-based Business Post. “Mail is profitable. Don’t believe this ‘it costs 28p to deliver a 27p letter’ talk. The mail itself is profitable — it is all the overheads which the Post Office carries that drag it down.” So says Paul Carvell, chief executive of Business Post. Business Post believes it can undercut prices and provide time-sensitive services.
Read MoreRival post boxes to Royal Mail could be set up in supermarkets, garages and high street shops under plans by Business Post, the Birmingham mail group.
Business Post is in talks with potential partners to establish a high-street presence to compete with Royal Mail, and also wants to put its own collection boxes in post offices. A machine with Business Post stamps may be attached to the post box, or stamps could be bought from retailers hosting the new post boxes.
I’m no particular fan of Richard Littlejohn’s political views, but I would recommend his book To Hell in a Handcard, for an insight into our national preoccupation with addressing symptoms rather than causes. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for competition and consumer choice, but instead of recognising that this great British institution has commercial issues it needs to address (not least the perception among business users that it is overpriced and supporting its objective of becoming a major European player), we choose to chop its legs off.
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