Don’t close our Post Offices!
The Federation of Small Businesses has hit out at the news that more Post Offices could be forced to close their doors, claiming that the actions are ruining small business chances for surviving through the recession.
In a survey conducted for the FSB it was uncovered that around 80 per cent of the 5,300 members questioned used the Post Office for their mailing and other needs and if more and closed there will be dire consequences for the small business community around the country.
Almost a half of small businesses in Britain admit to using the Post Office every week and see it is a vital part of their business lives whereas a further half of those questioned admitted to wanting the Post Office to remain public.
2,500 gone and more set to vanish from our streets…
The Federation have been quick to point out that a staggering 2,500 Post Offices have already been forced to shut their doors and if any more are taken from our streets then the FSB warn that there will be serious issues for small businesses.
The closures that are already occurring around the country are having a detrimental impact on small business running already as 20 per cent of those questioned felt that queues were longer due to a decrease in Post Offices.
Meanwhile a further 17 per cent claimed that they were forced to travel further distances due to the fact that there were now no local Post Offices in their areas.
Bad decisions leading to difficult times for small businesses.
“We have already seen more than 2,500 Post Offices shut over the last year – any more closures will have an even more damaging effect on small businesses which use its services daily,” announced the Trade and Industry chairman, Clive Davenport.
“Yet, the current system is not operating efficiently, which is leaving small businesses wasting valuable time travelling to another post office or waiting in queues.
“Post Offices are small businesses in their own right and are at the heart of many communities. Over 80 per cent of small businesses said that if their post office closes, it would have a significant impact on their business.
“The FSB is urging the Government to ensure we have a fully operating postal service to serve the needs of our 4.7 million small businesses.”
Bank lending still a key issue!
The research, which was made for the BBC programme Panorama this Monday, also raised some interesting statistics that also affect small British businesses.
In response to questions about the availability of credit 66 per cent of small businesses claimed that there was no difference in the availability despite the Government’s pressure towards banks to increase their lending.
Furthermore 15 per cent of those asked claimed that they had seen banking fees raised in recent months.
What about you?
What are your feelings about the Post Office proposals? Do you feel that the Post Office should be sold-off? Do you use the Post Office weekly? Have you been having an issues with Post Offices closing in your area recently?
Let us know…
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