The fight for a fairer contract between the Post Office and retailers who operate them has begun, with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) raising a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Of the 32,000 stores represented by the ACS, over 10,000 of include Post Offices. The ACS complaint could mean the end to the charges by Post Office Ltd on National Lottery commission and to restrictions on retailer businesses, which operate the Post Office.

ACS chief executive David Rae said: “Small shops are no longer prepared to accept the treatment they receive from the giant that is Post Office Ltd. This case is simply about giving the subpostmasters the opportunity to make a living. At present, retailers who are restricted in a range of activities, and are forced to give up revenue to effectively subsidise Post Office Ltd.”