Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Government considers handing over the Post Office to its staff

by Ethos public relations

Co-operatives UK has responsed to the suggestion that the Government is considering handing over the Post Office to its staff.

Ed Mayo, Secretary General said: “The public has long had a love affair with ‘their’ post office. And this suggestion to create a co-operative with the opportunity for public as well as staff membership could capture the nation’s passion for local post offices.

"Co-operatives have a long track record of serving local communities - from co-operative shops on islands across the UK through to a resurgence of village shops saved from closing through community ownership.

"However, there will be no mutual option for the Post Office if there is no credible business plan. The withdrawal of subsidy, the demerger from the Royal Mail business and a question mark over levels of government services directed through the post office network are all fundamental issues that have to be resolved before a co-operative solution can ‘save the Post Office’.

"Cutting red tape and freeing up local postmasters and franchises, including co-operative societies that are partners, can also help make local outlets more viable.

"Reforming the Post Office will take time, and will involve both the renaissance of its business fortunes as well as serious effort in developing its membership base - built from the bottom up, not the top down. A truly co-operative Post Office might take some time to realise but could certainly pay dividends both to the staff but also the country as a whole.”

Posted at 4^th October 2010