Post Office’s Network Transformation Programme gathers pace

The Post Office network is currently undergoing its largest ever restructuring through the Network Transformation Programme (NTP). Under the programme, the vast majority of post offices will convert to one of two new operating models – Post Office Mains and Post Office Locals.

The programme gathered pace towards the end of 2015 and, by February, there had been just over 2,500 Locals and 2,500 Mains conversions under the NTP; more than two thirds of which converted in the premises of the original post office. Another 500 Post Office Mains and up to 3,000 Post Office Locals are expected to convert by the programme’s end in March 2018.

Citizens Advice (CitA) continues to meet with Post Office Limited (POL) on a weekly basis to review proposals for branch changes; and to date have secured improvements to approximately sixty per cent of branch proposals.

Citizens Advice hosts a Post Office Advisory Group (POAG) which brings together CitA, POL, and stakeholders with an interest in post offices. POAG meets quarterly and I have chaired it for many years.