​Post Office announces intention to acquire Payzone’s bill payments business

• Together, the two networks will provide nearly 25,000 locations at which customers can pay their household bills quickly and conveniently.

• Over-the-counter bill payments are a vital service for many customers to pay a wide range of bills, including phone, gas and electricity.

• The proposed acquisition will give the Post Office the opportunity and improved ability to compete for more, and bigger, bill payments contracts.
• The move will create more choice for customers, in turn driving footfall to both Post Office branches and Payzone outlets.
• This is an exciting move for the Post Office and another step in the business’ ongoing transformation: 7,500 branches modernised since 2012, thousands of branches now open for longer, and more than 4,000 branches open seven days a week.

The Post Office has today announced its intention to acquire Payzone’s bill payments transaction business.

Bill payments are a core part of the Post Office’s retail offer; they provide a valuable over-the-counter service to customers, generating footfall across its 11,500 branches. The move means Post Office will acquire an additional network of around 13,000 payment outlets, along with their bill payment technology.

With over 500 million bill payment transactions across the UK last year, it is a market which presents a strong growth opportunity for both the Post Office and Payzone networks. This acquisition will allow the Post Office to be a more attractive partner to a wide range of organisations, providing even greater convenience to their customers, who will be able to access a total of nearly 25,000 bill payment points across the UK.

It is great news for customers who rely on over-the-counter-bill payment services, as it will offer them even greater convenience and access; it is good news for Post Office branches and Payzone retailers, as it will help to drive regular, repeat business into their shops; and it is exciting news for the Post Office too, allowing it to generate new income for the business so it can continue to invest and improve its services.

The acquisition is subject to approval by the Competition and Markets Authority and is expected to be completed during 2018. This represents another milestone in the Post Office’s continued modernisation, ensuring that people across the UK - including the most vulnerable and those without online access - have easy access to vital services.

This deal also builds a stronger, more sustainable Post Office, continuing the broader transformation that the Post Office has been undergoing in recent years. Since 2012, it has invested in, and modernised, over 7,500 branches, and improved services for customers, adding over 200,000 extra opening hours a week across the network.

Debbie Smith, Post Office Retail Chief Executive, commented:

“This is an exciting move for the Post Office. Bill payments has always been a core part of our business, allowing customers to pay a wide range of bills, including phone, gas and electricity in their local Post Office. We operate in fast-paced, commercial markets and this acquisition will give us the opportunity and improved ability to compete for more, and bigger, bill payments contracts.

“Over 500 million bill payment transactions are undertaken across the UK each year. We intend to grow our business and drive footfall to both Post Office branches and Payzone outlets by offering current and potential clients a network of nearly 25,000 outlets where customers can pay their bills.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer even greater convenience to people, especially those customers who rely on over-the-counter services to pay for a wide range of essential services.”

Clive Kahn, CEO of Payzone said:

“Payzone is delighted that the Post Office will be the new owner of our bill payments business. Our Payzone outlets will complement and strengthen the Post Office’s existing branch network meaning customers will have more access to a wider range of over-the-counter bill payment services.

“For our employees this is also good news, as it places the business at the heart of the Post Office’s strategy for reaching further into local communities. I’m certain that the Payzone bill payments network will develop and flourish in the Post Office’s capable hands."

About Payzone

• Founded in 1989, Payzone specialises in providing simple and cost effective payment solutions for retailers and other businesses.
• Payzone employs approximately 400 people across 3 sites – Northwich, Stockport and Grimsby.
• Since 2016 Payzone has focussed its strategy on providing card payment solutions designed to help SMEs (retail and non-retail) grow their businesses
• Post Office is proposing to purchase Payzone’s Bill Payments business which is based in Northwich. This is a separate standalone business employing around 60 people.
• Payzone provides a range of Bill Payment services for Telecoms, Energy, Water and Housing plus Transport Ticketing and much more through a network of Convenience retailers.
• Following completion of the transaction, Payzone will continue to be focused on its Card Payments business based out of Stockport and Grimsby offices.