Part-time post offices would limit effects of closures
Allowing post offices to operate on a part-time basis would enable smaller businesses to deal with the planned closure of up to 2,500 post offices around the country, a business group has argued.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has proposed that part-time post offices would help to offset the potentially disastrous consequences that large-scale closures would have on small businesses.
The FSB said that it acknowledged that the Post Office’s current losses of £100 million a year are unsustainable.
However, the business group also went on to point out that with nearly half of all small firms using post offices at least once a week, significant closures could have a “devastating impact”.
The answer to both problems could be post offices that open two or three days a week. This, the FSB believes, could soften the blow of any closures.
Clive Davenport, the FSB’s trade and industry chairman, said: “We have to be realistic about the future of post offices, but what is important now is to ensure the closures are handled carefully to minimise the impact on small businesses.
“Our members tell us that a good way to alleviate the potentially devastating impact of the closures would be to have part time post offices that are open on certain days during the week.This would serve the purpose of saving money as well as maintaining essential services for small businesses and rural communities.”
Mr Davenport added: “Much greater thought now needs to be given to how we can safeguard the remaining network, allowing it to grow and prosper by meeting a range of consumer and business needs.”