Press release -
POST OFFICE BRANCHES OPEN TO SERVE CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
- Over 99% of the Post Office network operating usual Saturday services
- Fewer than 100 branches closed due to strike action
The Post Office is reassuring customers that it is business as usual in all but a handful of branches in its 11,600 strong network today, despite the strike action called by its unions.
Kevin Gilliland, Post Office Network and Sales Director, said:
“We want to reassure people that over 99% of our network is operating its usual Saturday schedule today. Of the 279 branches where action was called, 190 are open for business, in addition to many thousands more around the country. Customers can visit our website for help planning visits today.
“The Post Office plays an important role in communities all over the UK, and has done for centuries. More than 99 per cent of people in the UK live within three miles of a Post Office branch. We want to safeguard that level of service, and the changes we are making support our commitment to keeping Post Office services widely available into the future. Over the last four years, nearly 7000 post offices have been modernised, adding more than 200,000 extra opening hours each week, and we are now the largest UK retailer open on a Sunday.
“We want the unions to join us in talks to discuss our strategy and find a constructive way forward. Their members work very hard to give our customers the best possible service in the run up to Christmas, and this action can only cause concern.”
Advice to customers
Saturday 3rd December is the latest recommended date for people sending cards and packages to destinations in Africa and the Middle East only.People wishing to send items to these destinations can visit www.postoffice.co.uk to find out if their usual branch is open and for more information on nearest alternative nearby branches and their opening hours.Directly managed branches are based in towns and city centres and typically have several other branches nearby.
The strike action called by Unite and CWU does not involve Royal Mail employees. Royal Mail has informed Post Office that it has robust contingency plans in place and expects there will be little effect on the services it provides.
Post Office Press Office
1st Floor, Finsbury Dials
20 Finsbury Street
LONDON
EC2Y 9AQ
Tel: 020 7012 3456 (24 hours),
Email: pressoffice@postoffice.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @postofficenews
About the Post Office
Post Office Limited has an unrivalled national network of over 11,600 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of many communities across the country.
It provides around 170 different services and products spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards. Post Office also offers Government services, telephony, foreign currency, travel insurance and mail services.
99.7% of people live within three miles of their nearest Post Office outlet. For many rural communities the Post Office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices remain highly valued and trusted and are the focal point for many communities. For more information, visit www.postoffice.co.uk.
