Alternative Post Office
From Norfolk RCC
This was developed in response to the announcement of 2,500 Post Office closures and the need to look at alternatives in providing access to key services. This is not yet a tested model but we believe it is entirely possible to replicate all the key service of the Post Office through a community facility without the need for a Post Office franchise. Much of it can be done by providing four basic things:
- Paypoint (or hosting of bill transactions using another account)
- Cash back/PDQ or ATM
- Internet access
- Education/communication and support to tell people these options exist.
We welcome all feedback and comments.
Below is a list of Post Office limited services taken from their website and listed under each are non-PO alternatives.
Contents |
Financial
Foreign currency
Probably not your most important product but a number of providers offer online currency purchase and some offer free home delivery. Alternatively if you think there is a strong demand for this open a bureaux de change Travel Money Card Effectively this is a prepay credit card/ travellers cheque- get a credit card or a debit card that doesn’t charge you abroad (Nationwide)
Credit card
Thousands available to apply for online
Personal loans
Many can be set up online. Alternatively you may consider setting up a credit union to support local people/affiliate to an existing one e.g, South Norfolk. See http://www.abcul.org/page/about/intro.cfm for more info
Money transfers
Can be done online or you could apply to be an agent for one of the larger providers e.g. moneygram
Bill payments
Many are available to do online or through a paypoint facility http://www.paypoint.co.uk/
For those who want to pay by cash it may be possible for them to give the money to the shop/village hall/parish council and then have them conduct the transaction through their bank account.
Banking services
All major banks offer online and telephone banking options the only limitation is the ability to access cash which can be done through an ATM or PDQ cashback facility. It is however often simpler, cheaper and safer to encourage card payments. Card processing fees should be around 2% (lowest I saw was 1.1% going up to about 3%- debit cards apparently carry a set fee but at this stage we do not have details) and you will need a merchant account.
Insurance
Many different sorts of insurance are available online including the Post Office’s own.
Savings
Instant Saver, Fiveyear Saver, Growth Bonds, Child Trust Fund Many different saver products are available online or again you could consider some sort of local provision in the form of a credit union or similar
Savings stamps
You could run your own scheme or just get people to save in a bank where they actually get interest on their money
National Savings and Investments
Most options available online http://www.nsandi.com/products/pb/applynow.jsp
HomePhone
Many services including the post offices own are available online
Phonecards
Available online from the post office or other retailer. Even better download skype for free (computer-computer) or very low rate (computer to phone) internet based phone calls (A number of us at NRCC use this every day and swear by it) Mobile top-ups Use pay point/ vouchers or can be included in a card processing package (PDQ machine etc)
Gift vouchers
The post offices as well as many others can be bought online National Lottery Can be played online Postal orders Use a cheque or a bank payment
Postal Services
Royal mail offers a number of different postal services. Stamps are sold by many different retailers or can be bought online. Other postal service providers exist (DHL, TNT etc) many will do home collection or you can apply to become an agent. Most providers offer some sort of version of the ‘registered’, ‘Next day’ etc. services.
Benefits
Get the benefit paid into a bank account (you can open one online). It can then be used in card transactions, used with Paypoint for bills or accessed as cash through ATM or cashback. This does require a shift in attitudes for some. I have some sympathy for those not wishing to change but where the Post Office has gone this exists as a viable option
Licences and Permissions
This does not include the checking service that Post Office offer in some places but charge for. This however is something that we feel should be covered under the friendly ‘eyes and ears’ of a healthy community supporting each other.
Passports
Online application available at https://www.passport.gov.uk/Epa1d/index.aspx?c=1
Driving licence
Can be done online at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/NeedANewOrUpdatedLicence/index.htm
Vehicle tax
Can be done online at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/HowToTaxYourVehicle/index.htm
International driving permits
Can be done here http://www.international-license.com/onlineapp.php
Medical care abroad - EHIC
This is the replacement to the E111 and can be done via the department of health’s website http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm
Rod fishing licences
It’s online http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/fish/399730/?lang=_e
