Changing Times
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| National Federation of Sub-Postmasters rally 2007-0072/1 |
There have been major national and international changes in the postal industry over the past few decades. The most important domestic change has been the opening up of the UK postal market and a rise in different mail companies.
Other changes include alternative methods of providing Post Office counter services and new forms of postal communication. More mail is being sent in digital form. This includes hybrid mail that is sent via the Internet, then printed out in physical form and delivered the final mile by the postman.
Changes in the Post Office
Following the closure of post offices, particularly in rural areas, Post Office Outreach Services are being provided in public places such as pubs and churches for a few hours each week.
Between the summers of 2007 and 2008, a joint venture between the Post Office and WH Smith saw around 70 Crown Offices relocating to the high street retailer. Another limited type of service, Post Office essentials, has also started to be introduced in shops across the UK. These complement the modern Mobile Post Office that operates in more rural districts that have lost their post offices.
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Four million signatures of protest 2006 On 18 October 2006, the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters held a rally and lobby of Parliament, in protest over post office closures. A bus was used to transport the petition. It was the largest petition ever sent to Downing Street. 2007-0072/1 |
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Post Office essentials branch. Hastings, East Sussex 2008 Post Office essentials have opened within some retail outlets. They provide a range of core post office services, often with extended hours of opening. E11220 |
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Post Office branch in WH Smith. Canterbury, Kent 2007 E11195 |
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Mobile Post Office. Cricieth, North Wales 2008 A new type of Mobile Post Office was introduced at the beginning of the 21st century. These small vans are suited to serving villages and towns on a timetabled circuit. E11219 |
Opening up of the mail market
On 1 January 2006, the UK mail market was opened up for competition, marking Royal Mail’s loss of the monopoly that it had held for over 350 years.
Any company that is granted a licence can now collect and deliver mail. Many of these have signed agreements, allowing their mail to be fed into the Royal Mail network for final delivery.
A number of mail companies have now joined Royal Mail in producing their own postage stamps, with some companies being established primarily to produce and sell them. In each case these stamps are often posted into the Royal Mail network for sorting and delivery.
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Beale Cartoon 13 October 2005 Roger Beale, Financial Times |
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TNT mail pouch c2007 A mail pouch used by TNT Post, one of the largest mail companies in the UK, alongside DHL and Royal Mail. 2009-0393 |
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UniversalMail stamps 2009 UniversalMail United Kingdom Ltd was established in 2006, following the deregulation of the UK postal industry. They are not a mail operator, but produce scenic and personalised postage stamps that are fed through the Royal Mail system for collection and delivery. 2009-0399 |
Oral History
Below you can listen to many different types of people who have either worked at, or used the Post Office, and their thoughts on how it has affected them and those around them.
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This exhibition can be seen in full at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Shropshire. Please click here to find out more.
