Just days after postmasters in the UK marched on London because of fears that government cut backs would signal the end of rural outlets, post offices appear to have received a reprieve in the form of an ATM pledge from RBS.
The Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that, as part of its previously announced plan to install 300 cash machines in deprived and under-serviced areas, 100 ATMs have been earmarked for local post offices.
The deal could prove to be a catalyst to improve footfall to ensure the survival of a number of endangered local post offices.
Regional mail offices have been contemplating oblivion in recent days following the UK government’s decision to end certain services facilitated by the Post Office and grants to support the continued existence of such sites.
Chief executive of retail markets at RBS-NatWest, Gordon Pell, said: The sub-post office network covers many of the UK’s most deprived communities, and we hope our offer will bring benefits to both local residents and sub-postmasters’ businesses.