‘Restore postal services’ for small firms, urges FPB

A leading business group is calling on the Government to restore postal services for small firms, following the findings of a report into the matter.

According to the Forum of Private Business (FPB) small enterprises are suffering as a result of the recent shake-up of the UK’s postal system, which will see the eventual closure of more than 2,500 post office branches.

‘Following the announcement that so many branches are to close, it is important that these services are restored as quickly as possible, and that suggested measures, such as locating post offices in alternative locations and introducing mobile units, are put into practice as a matter of urgency,’ said the FPB's Chief Executive, Phil Orford.

The move comes in the wake of the initial findings of an independent review into the recent postal reforms.

Launched by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the report claims that large businesses have benefited from greater choice and lower prices as a result of the ‘liberalisation’ of the postal services market.

However, it found that the changes did not have any ‘significant benefits' for smaller firms, which have no choice over their provider and pay higher stamp prices.

The final report is expected to be published later this year.