Small firms 'need Post Office'
Feb 26 2009
Small companies will be badly hit if more Post Offices are forced to close, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
A poll of the organisation's 5,300 members found 80 per cent of respondents rely on the service for their mail and other business transactions, with almost half visiting their local Post Office more than once a week.
Furthermore, the research finds 20 per cent claim their post handling now takes longer because of closures, while 17 per cent are forced to travel further due to local branches folding.
Clive Davenport, trade and industry chairman at the FSB, comments: '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.'
The poll also shows that 48 per cent of small businesses want the Post Office to be owned by the state, although more than a quarter would accept part-privatisation if it prevented further closures.
The Communication Workers Union claims it will withdraw its £1 million annual donation to the Labour Party if the government pursues the part-privatisation plans.
The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political
The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.
Comment by Gill Hunt
Tuesday 17th March 2009I couldn't agree more - when we polled Skillfair members last year (all self-employed consultants) - more than 80% said they regularly use their local shops and post offices.
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