Business Leaders Slam Postal Changes

Changes to the postal service are placing an unfair burden on business, according to Greater Manchester Chamber.

Hazel Roberts, Local Policy Officer at the Chamber, said: “Eighty-seven per cent of post is sent by businesses, but their needs are being totally ignored.

“First we lost the second post and since then deliveries have got later and later. Delivery and collection times are now so close together, many companies can’t respond to letters the same day.

“Then we had the closure of many sub-post offices across Greater Manchester. And now main post offices in major towns are being flogged off and replaced by counters in shops and supermarkets.

“On top of all this we now have a complicated new pricing system to deal with.”

Such is the level of concern over postal changes, mail regulator Postcomm has chosen Manchester as the only place outside London to get a seminar outlining the future of the postal service.

The event, which is being hosted by Greater Manchester Chamber, will give businesses the opportunity to air their views on how Royal Mail could be improved. It will take place between 12noon and 2pm on October 26 at the offices of Addleshaw Goddard on Barbirolli Square, Manchester.

President of Rochdale Chamber of Commerce, John Kay of Molesworths Bright Clegg Solicitors and a Director of Rochdale Online said: "Communication is essential for business. If I was a competitor trying to sabotage the business of the Royal Mail I would create a complex pricing structure with late delivery once a day. No need for any competitor to do it as they seem to have done it themselves.
 
"My firm has used a private carrier service, Britdoc, for many years as have most Solicitors. The amount of business already lost must be enormous. In this time of difficult trading conditions businesses must do what is best for them to ensure a profit.
 
"Communication by fax and now by email has been encouraged by the cost and uncertainty of postal delivery. Even private homes who cannot use other postal services are now able to use online services and  email.
 
"I would advise any business who is still a major user of the Royal Mail postal service to attend the Chamber meeting and warn Postcomm that Royal Mail must improve or alternatives will be used"