News -
Post Office details proposed franchise plans for first tranche of last remaining 108 Directly Managed Branches
The Post Office has today (28 May) provided details on its proposed franchise plans for the first tranche of the last remaining 108 Directly Managed Branches which are operated by the Post Office.
As part of its commitment to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’, the Post Office had previously announced on 8 April that it was moving to a fully franchised network
The Post Office has focused on selecting candidates to operate these last remaining Directly Managed Branches that have a clear track record of successfully running branches and have the capacity and resources to take on branches in multiple locations. Applicants’ business plans, balance sheet strength and funding availability have been assessed as part of this process.
It is proposed that 56 Directly Managed Branches will be operated by three operators from the same premises where they are currently located whilst the long-term arrangements for the branch are finalised.
In line with Post Office’s Principles of Community Engagement customer notification posters will arrive at the individuals branches to be displayed and local stakeholders are being informed of the proposed plans for their individual branch. Further details relating to the remaining Directly Managed Branches will be announced in tranches over the coming weeks.
A Post Office spokesperson said:
“Moving to a fully franchised network is one part of enabling the Post Office to deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’, helping to create a long-term, sustainable future for the Post Office. Our proposed franchise plans mean branches will continue to operate from the same premises while the long-term permanent proposal is confirmed, with customers being able to continue accessing the same products and services with the same opening hours.”
Proposed first tranche franchise plans for Directly Managed Branches
RF Retail
With 21 years’ experience in retail and Post Office, Richard Fleetwood, is the third generation of postmasters. His Granddad and Dad both ran branches, and his mother has had several senior roles managing Post Offices across the UK. RF Retail’s journey began when it opened its first store in the North East of England in September 2020. They currently operate six Post Office branches. RF Retail is also the largest independent operator of Banking Hubs in the UK after operating the first two in 2021. They currently operate six Banking Hubs. Another Post Office and Banking Hub are also being planned for this summer.
| Branch | Full Address |
| Bransholme | 51A Goodhart Road, Bransholme, HU7 4JF |
| Bridlington | 15-17 Quay Road, Bridlington, YO15 2AA |
| Chester-Le-Street | 137 Front Street, Chester Le Street, DH3 3AA |
| Crossgates | 9 Austhorpe Road, Crossgates, LS15 8QS |
| Grimsby | 67-71 Victoria Street, Grimsby, DN31 1AA |
| Morley | 129A Queens Street, Morley, LS27 8TB |
| South Shields | 8 King Street, South Shields, NE33 1HT |
| Sunderland City | 45-47 Fawcett Street, Sunderland, SR1 1RR |
UOE
Led by postmaster Elliot Jacobs, UOE operates nine 'Mains' Post Office branches, a Banking Hub, and a group of award-winning stationery stores across London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. With 28 years of retail experience — including over a decade as a Postmaster — Elliot brings deep expertise in running high-performing, community-driven retail operations.
Eight of UOE’s nine Post Office branches are former Directly Managed Branches (DMBs). Together, the UOE network serves over 2 million customers annually and employs more than 60 team members. All of UOE’s London Stores and Post Offices are open seven days a week.
| Branch | Full Address |
| Baker Street | 111 Baker Street, London, W1U 6SG |
| Barnet | 63-65 High Street, Barnet, EN5 5UU |
| Brixton | 242 Ferndale Road, London, SW9 8FR |
| Cambridge City | 57-58 St Andrew Street, Cambridge, CB2 3BZ |
| Golders Green | 879 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8RT |
| Hampstead | 79-81A Hampstead High Street, London, NW3 1QL |
| Harlesden | 2 Wendover Road, London, NW10 4RU |
| Harold Hill | 7 Farnham Road, Romford, RM3 8EJ |
| High Holborn | 181 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7RL |
| Houndsditch | 11 White Kennet Street, London, E1 7BS |
| Islington | 160-161 Upper Street, London, N1 1US |
| Kennington Park | 410 Kennington Road, London, SE11 4QA |
| Kilburn | 79A Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 6JG |
| Kingsbury | 439-441 Kingsbury Road, London, NW9 9DU |
| Kingsland High Street | 118-120 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2NX |
| Knightsbridge | 6 Raphael Street, London, SW7 1DL |
| Leighton Buzzard | 7-9 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AA |
| London Bridge | 19A Borough High Street, London, SE1 9SF |
| Lower Edmonton | 1-7 South Mall, London, N9 0TX |
| Milton Keynes | Unit N1 802 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3QA |
| Mount Pleasant | Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4SQ |
| Northolt | 46 Mandeville Road, London, UB5 5ZZ |
| Oxford | 102-104 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1ZZ |
| Paddington Quay | 6 West End Quay, 4 Praed Street, London, W2 1JX |
| Raynes Park | 1a Amity Grove, London, SW20 0LL |
| Roman Road | 138 Roman Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 0RX |
| St Peters Street | 14 St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3AA |
| Stamford Hill | 250-252 Stamford Hill, London, N16 6TW |
| Wealdstone | 4-12 Headstone Drive, London, HA3 5QL |
| Windsor | 38-39 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1AA |
ZCO
ZCO is a well-established company based in Bolton that operates 21 Post Offices across the UK, which were all former directly managed Post Offices, as well as four banking hubs. ZCO was founded in 2014 by Zubeir Patel and now the Managing Director is Tan Musa. He has well-organised regional teams to assist with the running of Post Offices in England, Scotland and Wales.
A sister company, called Potent Solutions, set up in 2008, operates Post Office branches on a temporary basis to maintain service to communities. However, it is ZCO that is taking on these new franchised branches. The retail alongside their branches is traditionally cards and stationery. Bespoke retail also has included luggage and luggage accessories, souvenirs and beach equipment, depending upon each unique location.
| Branch | Full Address |
| Bexhill-on-Sea | Devonshire Square, Bexhill-on-Sea, TN40 1AA |
| Canning Town | 22 Barking Road, London, E16 1HF |
| Cricklewood | 193 Cricklewood Broadway, London, NW2 3HR |
| Dereham | Quebec Street, Dereham, NR19 2AA |
| Edinburgh City | Waverley Mall, Edinburgh, EH1 1BQ |
| Furness House | 5-7 Dalton Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1LE |
| Glasgow | 136 West Nile Street, Glasgow, G1 2RD |
| Haddington | 50 Court Street, Haddington, EH41 3UU |
| Kendal | 75 Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4AA |
| Kettering | 17 Lower Street, Kettering, NN16 8AA |
| Matlock | 14 Bank Road, Matlock, DE4 3AA |
| Melville Road | 20 Melville Road, Hove, BN3 1UB |
| Morecambe | 2-6 Victoria Street, Morecambe, LA4 4AA |
| Poulton-Le-Fylde | Teanlowe Centre, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7BB |
| Rotherham | 3-5 Bridgegate, Rotherham, S60 1PJ |
| Saltcoats | Chapelwell Street, Saltcoats, KA21 5EX |
| South Ockendon | 8 Derwent Parade, South, Ockenden, RM15 5EB |
| Springburn Way | 230 Springburn Way, Glasgow, G21 1BU |
