Here’s why our post offices are so much more than just businesses – Kevin Buckle

It’s hard to see how many of the services currently on offer can be provided on a commercial basis, writes Kevin Buckle

News that the post office in Frederick Street is to be privatised in April has been met with some consternation. We are told that the vast majority of post offices are indeed franchises rather than run directly by the Crown Office but doubts have still been raised that services will be maintained.

According to the Broughton Spurtle: “Critics of the privatisation, or ‘franchising’ as the Post Office terms it, say it will result in fewer services, poorer delivery of those services, and worse pay and conditions for workers.”

It’s claimed that the loss of this “community hub” will have a negative effect on small businesses and locals, particularly elderly people for whom digital alternatives are sometimes hard to master.

It is no surprise of course that the alternative view is that there will be no discernible difference and as this seems to be a done deal only time will tell.

However I then panicked on reading that the future of my next-door neighbour post office in Waverley Mall was uncertain. Quick investigation proved this to be nothing more than the fact that all Crown Post Offices are currently under scrutiny, but it certainly made me think.

Giving it further consideration it did make me realise that as somebody who spends a reasonable amount of time next door to a post office, and certainly the mall’s post office, it is not a simple retail and services business by any stretch of the imagination.

As you might expect there are numerous customers every day either visiting from abroad or settling in Edinburgh that need services, and importantly help, that in no way will be covered by the cost of that service. I’m not quite sure how this would work in a privatised post office.

Just as importantly there has been many a time that elderly customers have needed assistance and have been put at ease by the staff and it should not be underestimated what an important service that is.

If Frederick Street gets only a fraction of these same customers to deal with I can’t see how they can possibly do that on a commercial basis.

Certainly you can offer the same services but how those services are delivered could easily deteriorate when understandably there are financial pressures on a privatised post office.

Interestingly the Post Office was quoted elsewhere as saying: “Our priority is to provide secure and commercially sustainable services in Edinburgh, continuing to meet our customers’ needs now and into the future.” I’m not entirely sure how that squares with many of the services they provide.

There was of course a fuss when the St James Post Office moved to Princes Mall as it was then but it is now very much at home and there is no doubt that locals and visitors alike appreciate such a helpful and friendly service.

I can’t really see there being any sense whatsoever in any changes and the only improvement needed is better signage outside the mall so folk know where the post office is, which is not in their hands. However, hopefully that will change soon so watch this space – or more accurately the space outside the mall!