Lorraine Kelly stamp of approval 2009 people's awards

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Lorraine Kelly gives stamp of approval to 2009 people’s Post Office® awards

27/01/2009


• Customer voting for the UK’s Best Post Office opens today
• Branches and other outlets in city centres, pubs and churches all in the running

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly took some time out from her busy schedule today to launch the 2009 People’s Post Office Awards, which recognise the hard work and great customer service provided by people working in Post Office branches and other outlets across the country.

Today (27 January) is the start of a month long voting period during which the 24 million customers who visit UK Post Offices every week can vote for the Best Post office - the one that they feel offers outstanding customer service, whether it is located in a city shopping centre, village shop or even in a pub, farm or church.

Lorraine Kelly kicked off the awards at Trafalgar Square Post Office, near her London TV studio. Lorraine said: "I know that people who work in Post Offices go to great lengths to help their customers. As well as offering a vital and diverse range of services many also play an active role in their communities. These awards are a great way to recognise their efforts."

Paula Vennells, network director for Post Office Ltd said: "Post Office teams work extremely hard to provide a wide range of services, from stamps and mail services to foreign currency and car insurance, that people can trust and rely on. The People’s Post Office Awards give everyone across the UK the opportunity to tell us which branches offer the very best customer service."

The regional and national winners of the competition will be judged on their ability to offer excellent customer service based on comments and votes received from customers.

In addition Post Office Ltd will also be presenting special recognition awards to branches and other outlets which demonstrate unique ways of providing services and who make a real contribution to the local community. Examples of commendable customer service by individual staff members will also be acknowledged.

Paula Vennells explained: "The three special additional awards will reward those Post Office teams which go above and beyond to serve their customers. Recognising the roles that Post Office teams play at the heart of communities in raising millions of pounds for charity every year, and also by helping local people in need of care or assistance."

National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is supporting the awards this year. Jane Platt, NS&I’s chief executive, said: "At NS&I we recognise that providing a trusted and reliable service to customers is now more important than ever before. These prestigious awards recognise the continued success of Post Offices across the UK and allow the public to acknowledge outstanding customer service by casting their vote for the Best Post Office."

The Post Office operates the largest retail network in the UK and offers customers a host of great value products and services, ranging from the more traditional stamps and mail products to a number of personal finance services, such as home and travel insurance, which people can rely on.

Customer voting forms are available from Post Office branches and other outlets. Customers can also vote online at http://www.bestpostoffice.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Every customer who nominates their office will have their name automatically entered into a prize draw giving them the opportunity to win £500 to donate to a charity of their choice.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About the People’s Post Office Awards
Customer voting for the Best Post Office in the People’s Post Office Awards closes on 27 February 2009. There will be six regional finals across the UK during April. The winners of the national awards will be announced on 21 May.

National and regional awards will be made in the following categories:
• Best Crown Post Office branch
• Best Town and City Post Office branch
• Best Community Post Office branch

In addition, three special awards will recognise other efforts:
• Heart of the Community - for Post Offices which play an active role in charity fundraising or in improving life in the local community
• Most Innovative Post Office branch or outlet - for those which demonstrate real creativity in meeting customer needs
• Customer Heroes - for individuals who have gone above and beyond in terms of helping others

Post Office services are provided in a variety of innovative ways. Some of the more unusual Post Office outlets participating in the competition include those based in pubs, tea rooms, farm shops, bed and breakfasts, garden centres, village halls, churches and even a museum!

For more information on the awards or the unusual branches in our network, call the Post Office press office on 020 7250 2468.

To find out where your nearest Post Office branch is located, call 08457-223 344 or
visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for more information.

About NS&I
NS&I is one of the UK’s largest financial providers with 27
million customers and over £88 billion invested. NS&I’s savings products are available through a network of UK Post Office branches. NS&I products are also available over the telephone and at http://www.nsandi.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. NS&I is best known for Premium Bonds but also offers other tax-free products, including Inflation-Beating Savings and Children’s Bonus Bonds as well as Guaranteed Income and Growth Bonds.


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