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Four ideas for a new-look Post Office

Future of the organisation discussed at focus groups

An independent report into the future of the Isle of Man Post Office will consider a range of options for a new-look service.

IJS Consulting, a brand marketing research company from the UK, has been holding 'focus groups' on behalf of the Post Office board this week, and will report back with recommendations about how the organisation should be restructured.

This follows the well-documented slump in profits for the business, which culminated in it making a loss for the first time in its history last year.

Members of the public have been grouped by age and location across the Island, then asked about how they currently use the Post Office, and how they feel it could look in the future.

The four recommendations presented to participants on Wednesday evening were:

1) Consolidating the services currently on offer, with fewer sub-post office stores and in theory more revenue per outlet

2) Keeping the network as it is, but with a £47 increase in rates per person per year

3) Introducing more self-service kiosks

4) Introducing 'outreach' offices at certain times, in certain places

Those chosen to participate were offered a £25 Marks and Spencer gift voucher as a thank you for taking part.

Further groups are being held today and tomorrow.

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