Bridlington residents will be aware that last year the Post Office announced they were considering moving to a fully franchised network rather than a Directly Managed Branch, like Bridlington’s on Quay Road.
Speaking with constituents, I know how important this branch is as an access point for information, banking and other essential services. After the announcement, I promptly reached out to the Chair and have engaged in ongoing discussions with the Post Office to ensure our town continues to benefit from their valuable services.
For background, the franchise system allows independent retailers to run Post Office branches under an agreement with Post Office Ltd. This allows the Post Office to reduce costs associated with directly managing branches while ensuring service availability. For several months the Post Office have engaged with the unions on a range of options – from retention to franchising of the DMBs – to tackle these losses. That consultation concluded in mid-March and, having reviewed these options in detail, they've decided to move to a fully franchised network.
From these discussions, they've carefully selected candidates with a proven track record of effectively managing Post Office services, to deliver exceptional service to our community. As well as conducting a comprehensive review of applicants’ business plans, financial strength, and funding resources to ensure the franchise branch’s long-term viability and success.
The Post Office have proposed RF Retail, under Richard Fleetwood, to manage Bridlington Post Office – I understand they have 21 years’ experience, with Richard as the third generation of postmasters in his family.
In practice, this means the branch will continue to operate from the same premises while a long-term permanent proposal is confirmed. I’ve sought assurances that customers should still be able to access the same products and services with the same opening hours. I’m pleased that under current plans opening times will remain the same and the same services will still operate.
For a more information about the plans, visit: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/bridlington-yo15-2aa-007337/?fbclid=IwY2xjawK_rz9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1Z3hudUpVdEFtekttQTNmAR5x337rgcn5w3QV_1p6hwegWVu0MIXejLnD7jnur4-ezZ-0GgOgZMJCVph5yA_aem_o0uZYhFVYQa4PWa7JpeeCw
