Franchising of Crown Post Offices and the effect on high streets and local communities

Crown post offices account for about 2% of post offices. They are large post offices that are directly managed by Post Office Ltd and franchising them would see them be moved to being managed by partners such as WH Smith.

The Communication Workers Union, who oppose the changes, have pointed to effects on jobs and service levels.

Research by Citizens Advice suggests that some aspects of the service in former Crown post offices are a bit better than that in current Crown post offices, some aspects of the service are a bit worse and many aspects are similar.