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'Hubs' are key to post offices

From the Financial Times: http://www.ft.com



Post offices should be transformed into small business hubs to secure the network's future, the Federation of Small Businesses said yesterday. It said small businesses were loyal customers - one in five visited the post office every day - but were not getting the service they needed.



The FSB said business hubs, with business banking on offer, were the best chance the network had of becoming financially viable. It said the hubs should have: a business desk with trained staff to advise on banking, government services, insurance and sending and receiving parcels; a regular Business Link service to give one-to-one advice to businesses; advertising facilities; a full range of financial services; and meeting room facilities where possible.



John Wright, national chairman, said: "Post offices are at the heart of many communities and act not only as a place to send invoices or to collect parcels, but as somewhere for small firms to network and meet like-minded business men and women as well as potential customers. However, small firms are not being given a fully operational service and are severely let down by the lack of business services available."