Last week, the government laid out what the National Federation of Subpostmasters described as “potentially life-changing” proposals for subpostmastersacross the UK.

In a bid to modernise the post office network, the Post Office unveiled its ‘Securing the Future: Strategy 2020’ report (PDF).

With parliamentary under-secretary for business innovation and skills Jo Swinson telling parliament the Post Office “must meet the changing needs of customers”, the report included plans to modernise branches, extend opening hours and to generally make the network easier and faster to use.

The report also promised a £20m investment for rural branches – or the around 3,400 post offices that are often the last remaining shop in their village.

The National Federation of Subpostmasters is backing the changes. In a letter to its members sent last week, national secretary George Thomson wrote: “It has become increasingly obvious over the last year that thousands of subpostmasters, particularly those running a standalone office with limited retail, are struggling to earn a living.

“With continued decline in both customer numbers and post office income envisaged, doing nothing is not an option.”

The proposals will come at a price for some subpostmasters, however. Post offices are being sorted into four categories - 3,000 core main branches; up to 1,000 non-core main branches; 2,000 community branches; and local branches – basically the remaining 5,500.

Subpostmasters will then receive a retail survey asking them for information on weekly turnover and opening hours.

“Offices deemed to have insufficient retail sales or scope for retail growth will be encouraged to leave the business, even if this is against their wishes,” Thomson wrote in the letter.

But he added: “We understand that these proposals are potentially life-changing for subpostmasters but we believe that they are in the best interests for our members, and the post office network as a whole.”

He’s right. In a fast-moving, multi-media world, consumers are no longer patient enough to wait in a long queue to have their parcel weighed or to pay a bill. They want fast and easy access, to get in and out as quickly as possible, and to not be restricted to 9am-5pm opening hours.

Post Office Local is proving this. By incorporating Post Office facilities into the till of convenience chains such as McColls, Londis or Co-ops, customers can use the services when the convenience store is open – in most cases from 7am to 11pm.

The government recognises this too. It’s ploughing an additional £640m into the Post Office over the next three years. Compensation for leavers has also been increased from 18 months to 26 months. Those choosing to convert to the Local model will get one year’s extra pay as a lump sum. And the government has also committed to maintaining a network of at least 11,500 branches.

Brits love to complain about the Post Office, but it plays a vital role in the communities it serves and with a bit of TLC can adapt for the 21st century.

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