Postal bodies urge firms to consider Royal Mail alternatives

by Joe Lepper, Brand Republic 26-Sep-05, 07:00

LONDON - Postal regulator Postcomm and the industry's consumer watchdog Postwatch are preparing for the opening up of the postal market next year by urging firms to get more information about the range of suppliers.

The two bodies want small- and medium-sized business, especially those that send more than 500 items a day, to take advantage of the full opening up of the market to competition and an end to Royal Mail's monopoly this January.

Postcomm chairman Nigel Stapleton said: "Opening the mail market to competition will create a more vibrant postal market in the UK. It will introduce choice to a market that has been a monopoly for 350 years."

He added: "Customers will win through greater choice and new operators can win by innovating and developing new services and the Royal Mail can continue to grow and thrive."

An up-to-date list of suppliers can be found on Postcomm's website.

Since 2003, bulk mailers, who send more than 4,000 at one time, have been able to choose alternative providers to Royal Mail.

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