Tag Archive for: Local Business

Wimbledon Post Office Wins Award For Service During Covid

Wimbledon’s The Broadway Post Office recently won a ‘We’re Stronger Together’ award for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The Broadway Post Office won the Better for Customers category at the Post Office’s ‘We’re Stronger Together’ regional awards for Greater London. These awards recognise efforts made by postmasters across the region to keep branches open during Covid-19 pandemic and serve their community.

The award was presented virtually to Postmaster Atul Bathia who runs The Broadway Post Office, by Post Office Chief Executive Nick Read. Postmasters who operate branches in the Greater London region had the opportunity to share their experience of running their branch during the pandemic and hear directly about the Post Office’s future growth strategy.

Post Office Area Manager Nafisa Huda, said:

“The Broadway Post Office won in this category for their dedication to the customer in challenging circumstances. Despite being short-staffed, the team decided to focus their efforts on limiting the time a customer would have to spend in branch waiting. Additionally the team managed to increase their Drop & Go service to become the branch with the greatest new sign-ups in London. Their dedication to the customers has been recognised by their receipt of many thank you cards and gifts which have flooded into the branch in recent weeks.”

Postmaster Atul Bathia, said:

“I would like to thank my entire staff team both on the Post Office side and retail side who have been fantastic and have worked hard for me through this difficult time. I also have had tremendous help and support from the Post Office Thank you. Finally, I would like to say a special thank you to all my customers who have been supportive, understanding and caring for all of my Team and other customers by keeping each other safe!”

Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, said:

“I have heard many inspiring stories of postmasters going the extra mile and I have welcomed the opportunity to hear first-hand how postmasters in Greater London have fared during the pandemic including The Broadway. All retailers have been affected and Post Office was no exception. The next few weeks and months will be a critical period as we try and return to a sense of normality. Post Office branches have a vital role to play in supporting their customers and communities, as well as helping small businesses and independent retailers get back on their feet.”

Cash will continue to play a vital part in our economic recovery from Covid-19. Post Office branches are often the last counter in town where businesses can deposit a day’s takings. Currently business deposits are growing between 10 – 20% week on week.

For small businesses, being able to get goods out to customers is key. Post Office’s ‘Drop and Go’ parcel service has seen a 70% increase in use month on month. Last month, Post Office reactivated its online foreign exchange service and its branch pre-order operation. Customers planning trips abroad can order over 60 currencies online for next day home delivery or collection from all 11,500 Post Office branches. The option to collect in-branch helps increase footfall at our branches and on the UK’s High Streets.

The Broadway Post Office is based at 89 The Broadway, Wimbledon – pop in, show your support to a fellow business owner and #LoveLocal.

Love Your Local Businesses

 

Current road closures on Merton Road towards South Wimbledon, expected to last until April 2020, have affected many of our independent shops, cafes and restaurants located in this area.

Love Wimbledon is urging other businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre to think of and make a special effort to encourage their staff to take a few extra steps, travel further along The Broadway and support our range of fantastic local and independent stores during this time.

Ideas for how you can support these businesses:

Aside from the effects of these lengthy roadworks, there are a number of reasons why you as a business and consumer, should opt to shop local. As well as the huge cost to the environment when choosing to shop online, when you shop local your money stays local. In other words, your money goes into the pockets of your neighbours in the community and helps to strengthen the local economy.

Without the presence of these types of stores on our high streets, which often add a sense of character and diversity through their unique and artisan offering, there is the ever-growing fear that all UK high streets will eventually look and feel the same. With an increasing number of consumers choosing to shop online, small and independent businesses like these are becoming the real driving factor for footfall across UK retail destinations and providing a point of difference for our towns.

Wimbledon is home to a number of other small and independent businesses which you can also show your love to, including Fayre & Square, Fielders, Aubergine Art gallery, Health Zone, Phokas Barbers and Gina Conway’s Aveda salon. Don’t forget, the Love Wimbledon monthly markets return in March, with a great range of local vendors offering up handcrafted gifts and flavourful international street food.

So show your community spirit by supporting your fellow business community and urging your employees to do the same! #LoveLocal