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9 August 05 Post Office Ltd has proposed that a mobile post office will replace the static Post Offices currently serving the villages. The mobile service will provide an extensive range of services, including car tax, bureau de change and travel insurance. Full details of the availability of the mobile service will be announced upon the completion of the consultation. Postwatch Scotland will be distributing surveys throughout the villages to collect views on the proposed changes. We will also be conducting analysis to determine the suitability of the proposals to the needs of the local population. Commenting on the proposed changes, Dr Tom Begg, Chairman of Postwatch Scotland, said: �Postwatch Scotland understands why Post Office Ltd wants to put this pilot in place. The company is looking to run trials that test ways of retaining rural post office services in local communities on a cost-effective basis. With the vast majority of rural post offices currently running at a loss, it is important that Post Office Ltd finds ways of being able to keep needed services available for the long-term. �What we want to know is whether residents think these proposal are acceptable. People in the area value their post offices and it�s only right they have a say in their future. �Post Office Ltd�s consultation runs until the 9th of September. Before that time, residents should either get in touch with Postwatch Scotland or Post Office Limited. We will be making representations to Post Office Ltd toward the end of the consultation, based on the investigation we make and the views we receive from residents and businesses in the area.� The Following notice is being sent to all households in the area of each of the affected Sub Post Offices
The forms for each area
are reproduced here in case anyone does not receive one through the post -
Five Caithness Sub Post Offices To Be
Replaced With A Mobile Unit The Post Office has 14,600 branches. The rural service is sustained by a UK government subsidy. Royal Mail Group has reported a record profit of �537m last year. Despite the overall Group profits, the year saw Post Office Ltd increase its losses from operations by 7% to �110m. The Group says this is primarily due to reduced benefit payments revenue as a result of migration to the direct payment of benefits into accounts. The sub post offices affected are Auckengill, Keiss, Mey, Reiss and Thrumster. The new mobile service could start in September. A public consultation in the areas affected will start next week. The Villages Affected |
