Self-service kiosks to replace staff at city's main post office

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Leicester's main Post Office has replaced members of staff with machines.

The WHSmith branch in Gallowtree Gate, which opened in 2007 following the closure of the much-loved Bishop Street Post Office - which had been serving customers for more than 70 years - has installed four new self-service tills.


The retailer has removed the left-hand side counter to make way for the new bank of autonomous kiosk.

They are expected to be operation later this month and will be used for paying bills, buying stamps and sending mail with contents valued less than £500.

It is understood that a number of staff have been lost as a result of the changes.

However, WHSmith, which employs the Post Office staff, has not responded to questions about how many people have lost their jobs.

Shopper Jonathan Bannett, 35, from Birstall, said: "It's not good for the people losing their job, but that's what's happening everywhere now - it's all machines.

"The problem is you have to have a member of staff looking after them anyway and they take twice as long."

Post Office customer Margaret Hampson, 56, from South Wigston, said: "Nothing is ever going to be as good as interacting with a real person.

"It's a shame. I know it's just a few machines today, but in a couple of years there'll probably be no staff at all."

The self-service machines have been criticised for being confusing and time-consuming.

But a Post Office spokeswoman said there were still some workers at the branch should customers prefer the human touch.

She said: "Self-service machines are being introduced into Leicester Post Office.

"These machines are always hosted by a member of the Post Office team and have been in use across our network for a number of years.

"Customers can use them for many transactions including paying bills, buying stamps and sending mail.

"Traditional counter positions are of course also available for those customers who prefer to use them"

Although WHSmith, which employs the Post Office staff, would not say how many jobs had been lost.

However, the Unite union, which represents more than 700 post office staff, said that each kiosk would replace two people.

Union officer Brian Scott said: "Unite is concerned that the drive towards more self-service machines in the Post Office is removing jobs and reducing the quality of service to the public.

"Each machine replaces two jobs."