Isle of Man Post Office Announces Changes to Post Box Collection Times
22nd March 2023
Following a revision of how post boxes are currently being used by the public, Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) will change collection times for post boxes...
Public Consultation - Modernising Isle of Man Post Office
Isle of Man Post Office's public consultation 'Modernising the Isle of Man Post Office', which sought the views of Isle of Man residents, businesses, organisations and its clients on how to best adapt letter and parcel deliveries and post offices in the community in a responsible way, has now closed.
We wish to thank everyone who took the time to have their say by taking part in the consultation, your feedback will inform the strategic choices IOMPO will put forward for Tynwald approval.
Below is the summary of results which can also be found on the Isle of Man Government Consultation Hub We Asked, You Said, We Did page.
We Asked
Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) sought the views of Isle of Man residents, businesses, organisations and IOMPO clients on how to best adapt letter and parcel deliveries and post offices in the community in a responsible way. This was in the context that the online digital revolution is changing the way people communicate and how and where they choose to buy their goods and pay for services. These changes are impacting the postal industry globally as fewer letters are being sent, and fewer people are using post offices than ever before, while parcel deliveries and returns increase as more people shop online. The change in core demand for these services locally, coupled with changing demand for IOMPO’s commercial services and increasing costs, meant IOMPO reported a loss for the first time in its history this year.
You Said
A total of 2,737 people responded, the large of majority of which were individuals, of which 67% were aged over 50 years. 2,091 people completed the consultation online and 646 by post.
The consultation asked respondents for their views on a number of key elements with regards to Letter and Parcel Delivery Services and Post Office Network Services.
Letter and Parcel Delivery Services Summary
66% of respondents supported the change of no standard letter mail* delivery on a Saturday, reducing from 6 to 5 days in line with decreasing mail volumes. Furthermore, 60% were content to continue receiving parcels Monday to Saturday, while a large majority of respondents said they had no preference on the time of day they receive their parcels.
The results also show that customers value daily collections of mail from their local post box (67%) and a next-day delivery service to the UK (63%).
* Standard letter mail consists of cards, letters, large letters, magazines and small parcels that fit through residential letter boxes – excludes Special Delivery Guaranteed® letter mail.
Post Office Network Services
In summary:
We Did
While there is clear support for a 5-day week mail service, the response to the question about IOMPO’s financial responsibility was inconclusive. Therefore, we will be assessing this further with focus groups and the free-flow responses to see if there are any further ways identified in which IOMPO can be more financially responsible in the delivery of our services.
Further analysis work on the results for the Post Office Network Services will also be undertaken with focus groups held with interested parties such as key stakeholders, including customers, staff, unions, sub postmasters, local commissioners and other parts of Government on the key issues and the future service options available. We are grateful to the 33% of respondents who expressed their interest in participating in a focus group to discuss specific topics in more detail.
The consultation results as well as the additional scrutiny, will allow the final direction and choices to utilise the unique attributes, capabilities and social value of the IOMPO to be fully considered by the Board and in stages, they will be taken to Tynwald where the final decisions on any key changes will be made.
The published summary of consultation responses can be viewed here (include PDF of results).
Julie Edge MHK, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office, wishes to thanks all those who took the time to submit their views to this consultation.