Press release -
Extra Post Office opening hours “equivalent to 5,000 new branches”
The increase in Post Office opening hours over the last four years is the equivalent of adding an extra 5,000 new branches, the Post Office has announced.
Since the Post Office began modernising its branch network in 2012, it has added 200,000 extra opening hours as it has transformed more than 6,000 branches across the UK. As part of this, it has become the largest UK retailer open on a Sunday, with about 4,000 of its branches now open seven days a week.
The extra opening hours mean people in communities across the UK can access Post Office services at the most convenient time for them. The significant number of customers now using Post Office outside of office hours is also easing pressure on queues during peak times.
In total, there are more than 11,600 Post Office branches, with 92.9 per cent of people in the UK living within a mile of a branch.
Tom Moran, General Manager for the Post Office Network, said: “Our branch network of 11,600 branches is bigger than all the banks and building societies combined. And the extra opening hours we’ve added over the last four years add up to the equivalent of 5,000 new branches – that’s a significant achievement that makes a real difference for our customers.
“Adding these opening hours means it is now easier than ever before to access Post Office services when it suits you. More and more people have a local Post Office open early in the morning, late at night, and on the weekend.
“This sends out the clear message that we are committed to sustaining our branch network at its current size of more than 11,600 Post Offices, and to improving it so we can meet the ever-changing needs of today’s customers.”
The increase in opening hours follows the 2012 announcement of £1.3bn of government investment in the Post Office network. In November 2013 the Government announced a further £640m investment to modernise more branches and invest in around 3,400 community branches, which are often the last shop in the village.
Post Offices sell 170 different products and the UK’s largest fee free cash withdrawal network through its branches and its 2,500 cash machines.
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About the Post Office
The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
Please note the Press Office team can only deal with enquiries from the media. Unfortunately they do not have access to customer information so can not help with customer enquiries.
If you have an enquiry regarding any Post Office product or service please visit postoffice.co.uk or call 0845 611 2970 Local call rates apply. Call costs may vary depending on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.
