Network Change Programme
With around 13,500 Post Office® branches across the country the Post Office® network is the UK’s biggest retailer. 96% of our branches are operated by subpostmasters who are independent business people. We offer over 170 products and services including travel and financial services, bill payments, licence applications and postal services.
The Post Office® is changing
The Government has recognised that fewer people are using Post Office® branches, partly because traditional services, including benefit payments and other services are now available through other means, such as online or directly through banks. It has concluded that the shape and size of the overall network of Post Office® branches needs to change.
The Government carried out a 12 week national public consultation, on a range of proposed measures to modernise and reshape the network and put it on a more stable footing. It published its Response to that national consultation in May 2007. Post Office Ltd has now put in place a Network Change Programme which will involve the compulsory compensated closure of up to 2500 branches, with around 500 of these being replaced with more efficient ways of serving the local community through “Outreach” type service points. There are currently 4 types of Outreach service:
- Mobile Post Office® Hosted Service
- Hosted service
- Partner service
- Home Delivery service
Will I be affected?
The majority of branches - more than 80% - will not change as a result of the Network Change Programme (“the Programme”), and we are seeking to implement these changes as sensitively as possible. One of the key ways in which we will make sure that as many people as possible continue to have access to Post Office® services is by applying the minimum access criteria outlined by the Government.
Nationally:
- 99% of the UK population to be within 3 miles and 90% of the population to be within 1 mile of their Post Office® outlet
- 99% of the total population in deprived urban areas across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet
- 95% of the total urban population across the UK to be within 1 mile of their nearest Post Office® outlet
- 95% of the total rural population across the UK to be within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet
In addition, for each individual postcode district:
- 95% of the population of the postcode district to be within 6 miles of their nearest Post Office® outlet
To support the necessary changes to the network and put it on a stable footing, the Government is proposing an investment of up to £1.7bn as a funding package. This investment will not only support the necessary changes in the network, but will allow Post Office Ltd to invest in activities that will result in a more secure future for our customers, subpostmasters and our staff.
To make sure that the views of local people are heard, there will be a local public consultation process which will be conducted as follows.
The United Kingdom has been divided into approximately 50 Areas. Each area will be included in an Area Plan detailing what changes we are proposing for that area. Each Area Plan will undergo 6 weeks of local public consultation before a final decision is made by Post Office Ltd. Prior to the commencement of local public consultation, each Area Plan has been subject to a twelve week intensive pre-consultation process which includes a substantial amount of local stakeholder engagement.
The whole of the Programme will be implemented over a 12-18 month period, starting in October 2007.
Find out which area you are in.