Post Office: Future of the Crown Office Network – Franchising Update
Further to LTB 069/25. As Branches are aware, on 8th April Post Office announced the franchising of the remaining 108 Crown Offices, meaning the loss of over 1,000 jobs.
Post Office has today confirmed franchise partners for 56 Crowns and the members concerned were informed via a Teams call earlier this morning. The three franchise partners announced today are RF Retail Ltd, Universal Office Equipment (UK) Ltd (known as UOE) and ZCO Ltd. The 90-day “staff information and consultation exercise” begins today and closes on 24thAugust. We are expecting further announcements in terms of franchise partners for the remaining Crowns in the coming weeks.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Union is opposed to franchising Crown Offices as we believe this will provide an inferior service, there is obviously a requirement to enter into serious negotiations with the aim of agreeing the “measures” associated with potential TUPE and also an improved compensation package via a Settlement Agreement. Additionally, we need to agree processes for bumping opportunities elsewhere in Post Office. We have therefore agreed the following Joint Statement:
On 8th April Post Office announced to employees their intention to franchise all remaining Directly Managed Branches.
For its part, the CWU does not support the franchising of Directly Managed Branches.
Both parties recognise that although they hold different positions on the future of DMB’s and the Post Office Network – there is a need to enter without prejudice negotiations immediately to explore the potential for an agreement that will support and maximise the available options for CWU members/Post Office employees.
The CWU notes that Post Office will announce the start of a 90-day consultation on Tuesday 27th May.
The list of Crowns affected by today’s announcement is attached for your information and has been shared with our Territorial Reps, who were present on today’s calls.
We have serious reservations about the longevity of the service being provided by these franchise partners as there is no guarantee these businesses will not be vulnerable to closure in the future. In fact, we have already seen examples whereby Crowns previously franchised to WH Smith have now closed.
We will continue to campaign politically against the franchising programme and Branches should liaise with our Post Office Territorial Representatives who can provide help and support for engaging with MPs and councils etc.
Further developments will be reported as negotiations progress.
Yours sincerely,
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Martin Walsh
DGS(P)
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB 105/25 – PO – Future of the Crown Office Network – Franchising Update
LTB 105/25 – List of Crown Offices – Franchising Announcement 27th May 2025
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 
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