Post office trial moves to towns

Outreach services will replace some post office branches

Post office services could be provided in libraries, church halls and job centres in towns and cities across the UK if a trial scheme is successful.

The Post Office said it would rule nothing out as it looked to maintain a "stable network" amid the closure of 2,500 branches.

It added that a similar scheme in villages had been "encouraging".

Business Secretary John Hutton welcomed the plan, adding that the Post Office had to "innovate".

The government announced the branch closures in December 2006, arguing they were necessary to reduce weekly losses of £4m.

'Outreach'

But the move has led to widespread protests in affected areas.

The Post Office has already opened 100 "outreach" outlets in rural communities, offering services for reduced or flexible hours, sometimes in a mobile office which travels around villages. This is going to be extended to 500 outlets.

We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK Alan Cook, Post Office

The urban scheme will be tested in 250 places around the UK, with an evaluation due next year. These trials will not affect the number of post office closures.

Post Office Managing director Alan Cook said: "This further outreach model could well form an integral part of the Post Office's future strategy for strengthening its commercial and financial performance.

"We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK and we know that to do so we have to continue to look at innovative ways to run our outlets.

"We have been developing outreach services successfully for the past five years with support from government and want to test whether this approach can be applied to more communities."

'Changing needs'

The company also announced it would give MPs 10 days' notice before the start of public consultation on proposed post office closures in their constituencies.

Mr Hutton said: "The future of the Post Office relies on its ability to innovate and deliver services that meet the changing needs of customers.

This is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted Charles Hendry, Conservatives

"This welcome trial has the potential to do just that by offering greater access to the most popular post office services in urban areas.

"This will improve the service to those customers and comes on top of 500 outlets already planned for rural pubs, churches and other centres.

"I am pleased that the Post Office has responded to MPs' concerns and will now involve them in the consultation at an earlier stage."

For the Conservatives, shadow postal affairs minister Charles Hendry said: "We are happy that the government has belatedly responded to our calls to explore new business opportunities for the post office network.

"However it is typical of this dithering government that they explore these opportunities after they have forced through a short-sighted, flawed and damaging closure programme, the result of which could have been fewer closures.

"This is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted."

Liberal Democrat business spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: "Introducing a part-time 'post office-lite' will be of no consolation for the many towns and cities left with no proper post office by this."

She added: "So-called 'outreach' services should only ever be used to fill in gaps in very rural areas, rather than as an alternative for full-time post offices in towns and cities."

Up to 50 local authorities are reportedly looking at taking over post offices scheduled for closure.

This follows Conservative-run Essex County Council saying it is considering reopening and running 15 branches.