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Post Office expands Sunday openings | Post Office expands Sunday openings |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The number of Post Offices opening on a Sunday will hit 3,000 this weekend, thanks to new facilities at a garden centre in Norfolk. | |
Within a year the Post Office claims it will also have more branches open on a Sunday than any other retailer, including Tesco. | Within a year the Post Office claims it will also have more branches open on a Sunday than any other retailer, including Tesco. |
The latest branch to open seven days a week is in a garden centre at Bergh Apton, south east of Norwich. | |
Customers will be able to post and collect parcels, as well as buy euros. | Customers will be able to post and collect parcels, as well as buy euros. |
But, as with many other franchised offices, there will be no dedicated till - meaning those wanting to use the Post Office will have to queue up alongside those buying plants. | But, as with many other franchised offices, there will be no dedicated till - meaning those wanting to use the Post Office will have to queue up alongside those buying plants. |
"Sunday is our busiest day, so we're delighted to be able to offer this service to our customers," said Michelle Evans, who runs the Green Pastures Farm Centre. | "Sunday is our busiest day, so we're delighted to be able to offer this service to our customers," said Michelle Evans, who runs the Green Pastures Farm Centre. |
'Modernisation' | 'Modernisation' |
More than 6,000 Post Offices have closed since 2000, but in 2012 the organisation promised to maintain the current network of 11,500 branches. | More than 6,000 Post Offices have closed since 2000, but in 2012 the organisation promised to maintain the current network of 11,500 branches. |
Since then an additional 50 High Street branches - main Post Offices - have been converted to franchised operations, in an attempt to stem losses. | Since then an additional 50 High Street branches - main Post Offices - have been converted to franchised operations, in an attempt to stem losses. |
As a result the public subsidy for the Post Office has fallen from £210m in 2011/12 to £130m in 2014/15. | As a result the public subsidy for the Post Office has fallen from £210m in 2011/12 to £130m in 2014/15. |
"Through our modernisation programme, our branches are open when and where people want them to be," said Kevin Gilliland, network director at the Post Office. | "Through our modernisation programme, our branches are open when and where people want them to be," said Kevin Gilliland, network director at the Post Office. |
"We intend to be the largest retail network in the UK open seven days a week." | "We intend to be the largest retail network in the UK open seven days a week." |
The government is already planning to allow larger stores to open for longer hours on a Sunday - but smaller shops, like Post Offices, are already excluded from the six-hour opening limit. |
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