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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Post office trial moves to towns | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Post office services could be provided in libraries, church halls and job centres in towns and cities across the UK if a trial scheme is successful. | |
| The Post Office said it would rule nothing out as it looked to maintain a "stable network" amid the closure of 2,500 branches. | The Post Office said it would rule nothing out as it looked to maintain a "stable network" amid the closure of 2,500 branches. |
| It added that a similar scheme in villages had been "encouraging". | It added that a similar scheme in villages had been "encouraging". |
| Business Secretary John Hutton welcomed the plan, adding that the Post Office had to "innovate". | Business Secretary John Hutton welcomed the plan, adding that the Post Office had to "innovate". |
| The government announced the branch closures in December 2006, arguing they were necessary to reduce weekly losses of £4m. | The government announced the branch closures in December 2006, arguing they were necessary to reduce weekly losses of £4m. |
| 'Outreach' | 'Outreach' |
| But the move has led to widespread protests in affected areas. | But the move has led to widespread protests in affected areas. |
| The Post Office has already opened 100 "outreach" outlets in rural communities, offering services for reduced or flexible hours, sometimes in a mobile office which travels around villages. This is going to be extended to 500 outlets. | The Post Office has already opened 100 "outreach" outlets in rural communities, offering services for reduced or flexible hours, sometimes in a mobile office which travels around villages. This is going to be extended to 500 outlets. |
| We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK Alan Cook, Post Office | We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK Alan Cook, Post Office |
| The urban scheme will be tested in 250 places around the UK, with an evaluation due next year. These trials will not affect the number of post office closures. | The urban scheme will be tested in 250 places around the UK, with an evaluation due next year. These trials will not affect the number of post office closures. |
| Post Office Managing director Alan Cook said: "This further outreach model could well form an integral part of the Post Office's future strategy for strengthening its commercial and financial performance. | Post Office Managing director Alan Cook said: "This further outreach model could well form an integral part of the Post Office's future strategy for strengthening its commercial and financial performance. |
| "We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK and we know that to do so we have to continue to look at innovative ways to run our outlets. | "We are committed to maintaining and developing a sustainable network which continues to play a vital role at the heart of communities throughout the UK and we know that to do so we have to continue to look at innovative ways to run our outlets. |
| "We have been developing outreach services successfully for the past five years with support from government and want to test whether this approach can be applied to more communities." | "We have been developing outreach services successfully for the past five years with support from government and want to test whether this approach can be applied to more communities." |
| 'Changing needs' | 'Changing needs' |
| The company also announced it would give MPs 10 days' notice before the start of public consultation on proposed post office closures in their constituencies. | The company also announced it would give MPs 10 days' notice before the start of public consultation on proposed post office closures in their constituencies. |
| Mr Hutton said: "The future of the Post Office relies on its ability to innovate and deliver services that meet the changing needs of customers. | Mr Hutton said: "The future of the Post Office relies on its ability to innovate and deliver services that meet the changing needs of customers. |
| This is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted Charles Hendry, Conservatives | |
| "This welcome trial has the potential to do just that by offering greater access to the most popular post office services in urban areas. | "This welcome trial has the potential to do just that by offering greater access to the most popular post office services in urban areas. |
| "This will improve the service to those customers and comes on top of 500 outlets already planned for rural pubs, churches and other centres. | "This will improve the service to those customers and comes on top of 500 outlets already planned for rural pubs, churches and other centres. |
| "I am pleased that the Post Office has responded to MPs' concerns and will now involve them in the consultation at an earlier stage." | "I am pleased that the Post Office has responded to MPs' concerns and will now involve them in the consultation at an earlier stage." |
| For the Conservatives, shadow postal affairs minister Charles Hendry said: "We are happy that the government has belatedly responded to our calls to explore new business opportunities for the post office network. | |
| "However it is typical of this dithering government that they explore these opportunities after they have forced through a short-sighted, flawed and damaging closure programme, the result of which could have been fewer closures. | |
| "This is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted." | |
| Liberal Democrat business spokeswoman Sarah Teather said: "Introducing a part-time 'post office-lite' will be of no consolation for the many towns and cities left with no proper post office by this." | |
| She added: "So-called 'outreach' services should only ever be used to fill in gaps in very rural areas, rather than as an alternative for full-time post offices in towns and cities." | |
| Up to 50 local authorities are reportedly looking at taking over post offices scheduled for closure. | Up to 50 local authorities are reportedly looking at taking over post offices scheduled for closure. |
| This follows Conservative-run Essex County Council saying it is considering reopening and running 15 branches. | This follows Conservative-run Essex County Council saying it is considering reopening and running 15 branches. |