Tag: UK

Postcomm proposals aim to simplify Royal Mail's compensation schemes

Posted by | Dec 6, 2007 | |

Royal Mail’s current schemes are inconsistent and difficult for customers to understand.
Proposals aimed at simplifying current schemes to make them easier to use.
Postcomm proposes to remove bulk mail from the compensation scheme in April 2009.

Postcomm, the independent regulator for postal services, has outlined proposed changes to Royal Mail’s compensation schemes for lost, damaged and delayed mail to make them fairer and more suited to customer needs.

The regulator has conducted a public consultation and worked closely with Royal Mail and Postwatch to address concerns about the complexity of Royal Mail’s current compensation schemes for retail customers and some inconsistency in how they are applied.

Following this review, Postcomm is proposing to remove bulk mail from a regulated compensation scheme for delay. Competition for bulk mail customers has developed to a point where the regulator is proposing that it is more appropriate to move towards a market driven option allowing the growth of schemes which reflect the differing needs of large mailers.

Royal Mail’s retail customers should face less difficulty in pursuing their claims because, for retail mail that has been lost, damaged or delayed, the proposals aim to simplify and align:
– the processes for making a claim;
– the evidence required to support a claim; and
– the compensation payments themselves.

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Decisions on Kent Post Office Branches Announced

Posted by | Dec 6, 2007 | |

Post Office Ltd today announced decisions on the future of Post Office® branches across Kent, following a six week public consultation ending on 12 November. Post Office® services will be provided through a network of 295 branches, which supports the national accessibility criteria introduced by the Government and ensures that 99 pct of the county’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 56 branches will close in Kent, with the first closures scheduled to take place in January. These branches were detailed in the Area Plan proposal published on 2 October 2007.

Two branches originally proposed for closure – Cliff’s End in Ramsgate and Hawkhurst – will now remain open following a review of the issues raised during consultation and of factors relating to geography, the availability of local transport and access to alternative branches, local demographics and the impact on local economics.

At Cliff’s End, having taken into account local feedback, Post Office Ltd was concerned that alternative branches were not sufficiently easy to reach and that the viability of the branch’s retail business, which provided a critical service for the community, would be threatened. In Hawkshurst, further review during consultation demonstrated the difficulties that customers would face reaching an alternative branch further from the main shopping area of the village.

Additionally, as a result of the information provided during the six week public consultation process, improvements will be made to 18 branches in Kent to improve accessibility, particularly for customers with disabilities, or to increase capacity by providing additional counter positions.

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Postcomm proposals aim to simplify Royal Mail's compensationschemes

Posted by | Dec 6, 2007 | |

Postcomm has outlined proposed changes to Royal Mail’s compensation schemes for lost, damaged and delayed mail to make them fairer and more suited to customer needs.

The regulator has conducted a public consultation and worked closely with Royal Mail and Postwatch to address concerns about the complexity of Royal Mail’s current compensation schemes for retail customers and some inconsistency in how they are applied.

Following this review, Postcomm is proposing to remove bulk mail from a regulated compensation scheme for delay. Competition for bulk mail customers has developed to a point where the regulator is proposing that it is more appropriate to move towards a market driven option allowing the growth of schemes which reflect the differing needs of large mailers.

Royal Mail’s retail customers should face less difficulty in pursuing their claims because, for retail mail that has been lost, damaged or delayed, the proposals aim to simplify and align:

* the processes for making a claim;
* the evidence required to support a claim; and
* the compensation payments themselves.

Read More

Postwatch: Inquiry into post office closures

Posted by | Dec 5, 2007 | |

The House of Commons Business & Enterprise Select Committee has just announced a new inquiry into early experiences of the Post Office’s ‘Network Change Programme’ for restructuring the sub-post office network. It will also look at the implications of the changes to the Crown post office network and the transfer of many such offices to retail outlets, such as branches of WH Smith.

The Trade & Industry Committee (which this Committee recently replaced) examined the Government’s proposed framework for a new round of post office closures in two reports earlier this year. These reports persuaded the Government to refine the access criteria and their application. The Committee will now look at how the process is being carried out in practice.

The Committee intends to focus on:

– experience of the local consultation process so far;
– the extent to which final decisions have taken local views into account;
– the nature of the proposed 500 ‘Outreach’ services and service quality;
– the role of Postwatch in the current Programme and in the future;
– how changes to the Crown post office network interact with sub-post office closures;
– the future of both Crown and sub-post office networks.

Postwatch will submit evidence to this inquiry and appear before the Committee.

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Business Christmas cards prompt consumer purchases of up to GBP 100

Posted by | Dec 5, 2007 | |

company as a direct result, new research revealed today.

The survey, conducted on behalf of Royal Mail by YouGov, shows that 69 per cent of consumers make a purchase of up to GBP 100 after receiving a card from a company such as a high street store. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of all consumers who made a purchase spent over GBP 100, and 12 per cent spent over GBP 500.

The study is unveiled as Royal Mail reminds businesses of the last posting dates to ensure that they send their Christmas greetings on time and do not leave customers and suppliers feeling neglected. Companies with a global customer base should plan ahead with their Christmas card mailings – the recommended last posting date for festive greetings to destinations such as Australia and South Africa is 7 December.

The research also revealed:

– 84 per cent of consumers prefer to receive company Christmas cards through the mail, compared with only 3 per cent who prefer email greetings
– This figure jumps to 91 per cent for the over 55 demographic

Thierry Saada, Director of Sector Marketing at Royal Mail, said: “A Christmas card sends an important message that you value your customers and our research shows that consumers respond well to this personal touch.”

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