Local MP Justin Tomlinson has met with senior managers from the Post Office to discuss its work in Swindon and across the country, as well as raises the issue of access to banking in Highworth.
The Post Office is an essential part of the fabric of the UK. Since separation from the Royal Mail in 2012, with Government support, the Post Office has modernised branches, increased accessibility and invested in essential infrastructure so that it stands ready to provide the next generation of Post Office services. At the same time, its commercial performance has improved, allowing it to reduce its dependence on the taxpayer.
In the long-term, Post Office’s ambition is to become a self-sustaining business, maintaining – even growing – its branch network. Across the United Kingdom:
- 11,600 Post Office branches
- 97% of Post Offices are run by retail businesses on an agency basis.
- 7,000 branches modernised, providing 220,000 extra opening hours each week.
- 4,000 branches now open on a Sunday.
- 17 million customers visit our branches every week.
- 93% of the population lives within a mile of a Post Office
Justin took the opportunity to discuss a number of local matter with the Post Office’s Director of Banking, Martin Kearsley, about expanding banking services across North Swindon. Post Offices can be used to carry out banking transactions on behalf of High Street banks, as well as for receiving pension and benefit payments. In North Swindon there are 11 Post Office branches, 10 of which have recently been modernised, delivering 354 extra opening hours every week including on a Sunday. In particular, Justin spoke to the Post Office about the current situation in Highworth where Lloyds Bank is due to close early next year. Thanks to Justin's intervention, the Post Office will look at accepting both personal and business customers in Highworth before Lloyds closes.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Our Post Office networks forms an important part of our community. The current plans for modernisation and extended opening hours of important for fellow local residents and I have highlighted to senior managers how much North Swindon values its collection of post offices. Additionally, I have asked the Post Office to look at what more it can do to expand its banking services across North Swindon, as this is vital residents both in urban and more rural areas.”
