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Post collection charges hit SMEs

Sep 23 2008

Royal Mail’s decision to introduce a flat rate for fewer weekday collections has left small businesses paying more, says the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Until April 2008, business owners could use morning collections for an annual fee of £280. This has now changed to one collection per day, which is priced at £450.

John Foley, owner of office stationery suppliers Britsales Business Supplies, has seen his annual bill increase by 60 per cent due to the changes.

He says: ‘The collection service was more convenient than having to send a member of staff to the nearest post office, which was three-quarters of a mile away. We only have a few employees, so this is not an option.’

He adds: ‘This is an additional cost when I can least afford it – Royal Mail has small businesses over a barrel.’

In addition to the cancellation of morning collections, businesses requiring post to be collected at a specific time now have to pay a further annual fee of £750.

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