Post Office Launches Post Office Plus Concept Stores
Post Office has launched its first Post Office Plus community hubs in Barnsley and Derby, creating space for partner organisations to provide in-person support on household services, later-life planning and digital skills.
Post Office has launched Post Office Plus, a new concept intended to bring face-to-face services back to UK high streets. The first community hubs will operate from selected branches, providing space for partner organisations to support customers with household services, later-life planning and digital skills.
The initiative responds to consumer demand for in-person guidance during important life moments. Post Office said people increasingly search online for answers but can encounter information overload and uncertainty about which sources to trust.
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Research cited by Post Office found that 53% of people would be likely to use digital skills training if it were available in person locally. A further 49% said they would be likely to use local energy-switching services, while 49% expressed interest in face-to-face will-writing guidance.
Under the Post Office Plus community hub format, selected branches will host different partners on set days of the week. The model combines the Post Office network with specialist support services intended to make practical guidance more accessible within local communities.
Partner Services
Founding partners include Utility Warehouse, Octopus Legacy and Good Things Foundation, with the latter’s involvement sponsored by Amazon Web Services.
Utility Warehouse will provide information about its combined energy, mobile and broadband services through its UK network.
Octopus Legacy will support people with later-life planning, including wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts and estate planning.
Good Things Foundation will provide guidance intended to help people build confidence online, covering basic digital skills, internet safety and everyday online tasks. Its participation is sponsored by Amazon Web Services.
High Street and Community Role
Post Office said the expanded offer reflects its continuing commitment to UK high streets at a time when a number of familiar in-person services have disappeared from town centres.
The organisation expects the concept to support local economies by generating additional branch visits and encouraging customers to spend locally. Research cited by Post Office found that half of UK consumers believe the presence of a local post office helps foster a sense of community belonging.
Postmasters and branch teams will host the partner organisations. Post Office said their existing community relationships and local knowledge make branches well placed to provide space for the new service model.
First Locations and Rollout
The first two Post Office Plus locations, at Barnsley Post Office and Derby City Post Office, will begin operating this week. Each location will host different partners on scheduled days, with services intended to reflect local community needs.
Post Office plans to roll out further concept stores across the UK during the year, with an ambition to extend the format to additional sites.
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“At a time when people increasingly want access to trusted face-to-face services close to home, Post Office, as the UK’s largest retail network, will help keep those essential services on the high street. “Post Office Plus is designed to complement our existing branch network and gives partners space to offer valuable in-person support to customers at a location they trust. “Post Office Plus will deliver tangible benefits for everyone involved – more support for customers, new opportunities for partners, and new revenue streams for postmasters.”
Neil Brocklehurst, Chief Executive Officer, Post Office
“This is an exciting new chapter for the Post Office and for our high streets, bringing trusted, face-to-face services under one roof so people can easily access the support they need for the moments that matter most. “As set out in our response to the Green Paper on the Post Office, this Government is backing the Post Office to succeed, investing £500 million over the next two years to transform it into a modern, efficient business that remains at the heart of communities across the UK for decades to come.”
“We’ve operated in Derby for more than six years, and one of the biggest changes we’ve seen is the decline of in-person services and places where people can access support. “For many people here, being able to sit down with someone, ask questions and get guidance makes a real difference. “Post Office Plus gives us a new way to respond to what customers are asking for locally, while showing how branches like ours can play an even bigger role on the high street.”
Sid Atwal, Branch Manager, Derby City Post Office
“Utility Warehouse has always run on community spirit, with our network of peoplehelping their friends, family and neighbours to save on their household bills. That’s why we are so proud to be a founding partner of Post Office Plus. By bringing our services right to the high street, we’re keeping things local and giving people real, friendly, face-to-face help. And the customers that we help to save on their household bills, will have a little more to spend with local businesses in their area. We’ve always believed in people helping people, and Post Office Plus is another way we’re showing our communities that we’re in their corner.”
Michael Stanley, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Utility Warehouse
“So much of life is moving online and into AI. But some things still need a human. Planning for death, and finding support after someone dies, are among the most personal things any of us do. Most people would rather sit opposite a real person to work through them. Now they can, on their local high street, in a place they’ve trusted for generations. We’re proud to be a founding partner of Post Office Plus.”
Sam Grice, CEO and Founder, Octopus Legacy
“Digital technology is vital for accessing essential services, yet for many, the barriers to getting online remain significant. By bringing our expert digital inclusion support into the heart of Post Office branches, we are meeting people where they are within their own communities. Sponsored by Amazon Web Services, this partnership offers a unique opportunity to provide the friendly, face-to-face guidance that helps people build the confidence they need to participate fully in today’s digital world.”
James Muscat-Sharp, Director of Business Development & Partnerships, Good Things Foundation
“At AWS, we’re committed to helping people across the UK to build digital skills. Through our sponsorship of Good Things Foundation, we’re proud to play a role in helping communities across the UK to gain the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world — with Post Office Plus bringing that support directly to local high streets.”
Ash Thankey, Managing Director and General Manager – UK, Germany and International Organisations, Public Sector, Amazon Web Services
The launch forms part of Post Office’s broader plan to develop a more commercially focused business for branch operators. The organisation said the format is intended to respond to changing consumer demand, establish additional revenue streams and position branches as shared high street infrastructure for businesses, charities and public-sector organisations seeking to reach local communities.
