I think that is the main problem. WHS staff likely see post office stuff as an adjunct to their 'proper job' rather than something that really needs good knowledge and dedication in its own right.
This bit of the post seems more like a moan about pedestrianisation than post offices!
When our thriving Post Office ( the most profitable in Cornwall on the P.O.'s own figures, until they factored in the empty flats above it which they refused to let 'for security reasons') was transferred to WHSmith an assurance was given by the local council that parking would be set aside for P.O. access, only for the same council to introduce the measures. By the way, there is no pedestrianisation because buses and taxis continue to use the road, as do many cars, which face no sanction unless they park! I walk with difficulty on a stick, and much prefer to walk in the road, especially when raining, but can't reliably do so.
Point of order. The Postal Services Act 2011 which enabled privatisation was passed by the coalition Government nearly twenty years after Mrs Thatcher left office. The driver was an EU Directive and the business secretary at the time was Lib Dem Vince Cable who I don't think would identify as a Thatcherite.
Because that way you have to walk past all their treasures and delights, and may be tempted to buy something in the store.
... and probably pretty close to the sell my date.
In Hulme, just south of Manchester, there is the opposite arrangement - a PO with a Subway in the back!
Ha Same place! My memory is that they are side by side in one room. Seriously weird!In Hulme, just south of Manchester, there is the opposite arrangement - a PO with a Subway in the back!
Is that by any chance the one in Skipton? It was awful having to queue opposite the food counter, with the smell and smoke from sizzling burgers and sausages gradually permeating your skin, hair and clothing....especially for vegetarians and vegans. When we moved to the much smaller town of Hebden Bridge nearly nine years ago, we were delighted to find a friendly and efficient Crown post office in a nice early-1930s 'Arts & Crafts'-style building and I'm pleased to say that it's still going strong.
Is that because of that silly "Free bottled water with the Telegraph" offer they have where the water is more expensive than the Telegraph?
Believe it might once have been the one at Trafalgar Square, but understand it's now permanently closed.
Yes, they do own a pretty high proportion of their premises rather than renting, so they're not suffering with having to pay stupidly high rents. But there are other factors. One is the "terrible shopping experience" which keeps their costs low due to low staffing numbers, run down stores, etc - they can survive on lower sales volumes if their overheads are lower. They also have a long term "managed decline" business plan where a few loss making shops are closed each year - that's the opposite to the likes of Woolworths who tried to keep all their stores open meaning the loss making ones sucked the profits from the profitable ones. They know newspapers and magazines are in long term decline and that almost certainly the High St WHS shops won't exist in, say, 15 years, so they're not bothering with updating stores etc, just letting them decline in line with the declining market and close as and when they're loss making.
When I worked for them 15 years ago (as a student), it was made very clear to us that High Street and 'Elsewhere' are two separate divisions trading under the same brand. Terms and Conditions were different, pay was different, and even on a more basic level, airport store staff discount cards weren't valid in High Street stores, nor was my High Street one valid at airports.
