Lottery store plan threat to post offices

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/artic ... topstories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Hundreds of post offices could close if plans to allow utility bills to be paid at National Lottery outlets are approved.

Subpostmasters fear that customers who traditionally pay at a post office will instead use lottery terminals.

Every utility bill payment made over a post office counter earns the branch 8.5p and many customers make use of other services at the same time or spend money in the adjoining shop.

Under the 'play and pay' proposal struck with National Lottery operator Camelot, part of the commission for processing utility bills will go to charity, a key marketing boost for the 27,500 retailers with lottery terminals.

The lottery's entry into the bill-paying market could be the final straw for many cash-strapped post offices. More than 8,000 have been culled in the past 13 years, leaving just 11,500. Camelot has been in talks with the Post Office since the start of the year about introducing the payments service. The plan could be approved as early as this summer after a National Lottery Commission consultation that ends tomorrow.

Subpostmaster Alan Green, 41, who runs the Hungerford Road post office in Crewe, Cheshire, picked up the award for running Britain's Best Post Office in 2006. His father, Neville, 75, and late grandfather William were subpostmasters.

Alan says: 'This latest change will endanger our revenue. Although my business will survive, others won't. It is footfall in the shop that really matters.'

On Friday, the National Federation of Subpostmasters played down Alan's concerns.

It said: 'We are convinced we will reach a situation where Camelot's proposals will be beneficial for subpostmasters and their customers.'



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[TrueBlueTerrier]

On Friday, the National Federation of Subpostmasters played down Alan's concerns.

It said: 'We are convinced we will reach a situation where Camelot's proposals will be beneficial for subpostmasters and their customers.'

RMails sweetheart federation - They did not really fight the last tranche of closures did they.

Also can anyone remind me who helps run Camelot http://www.camelotgroup.co.uk/aboutcame ... lders.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fishtank]

Under the 'play and pay' proposal struck with National Lottery operator Camelot, part of the commission for processing utility bills will go to charity, a key marketing boost for the 27,500 retailers with lottery terminals.

Don't we still own 20% of Camelot?

[DGP1]

It's a story about nothing, PayPoint has been offering the same bill paying service for years and the POs survived that.
http://www.paypoint.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wessex]

I was under the impression that RM had recently sold their 20% and that subject to approval the lottery was going to be sold to Canadian Teachers' Pensions.