Courier October 2012 - myroyalmail

8 October 2012 October 2012 9WE WILL again be operating dedicatedpacket hubs, to process the hugeamount of parcels we expect to handlethis Christmas.The first ones will begin operating from5 November.There will be eight hubs at Bathgate,Bolton, Glasgow, Greenford, Peterborough,Swansea, Swindon and Tamworth.Separating a big proportion of packetsprocessing from the everyday networkis the best way to handle the increasedIt’s only October, we hear you cry! But we’re already cranking up our Christmas plans to make sureeverything is hunky dory when the festive frenzy gets going. Here’s how we’re...crackingThat’s dedicationBathgateGlasgowBoltonvolume that Christmas brings. We areexpecting to see another rise this year inhow many packets we handle. More andmore people now shop online, especiallyat Christmas.Nearly 50% of our annual revenue lastyear came from this growth area.Of course, more packets can causeproblems if customers are not in toreceive their item. We can now deliver toneighbours any items that are too big fora letterbox or need a signature. More infoon pages 4&5.It is essential that we fill out our ‘Somethingfor you’ (P739) cards correctly andprocess any items that go back to deliveryoffices correctly. Turn to page 6 for more onthis.We’ll also be doing early and eveningdeliveries, and delivering at weekends,once the Christmas rush is in full swing,keeping enquiry offices open longer forcustomers to collect items, and usingextra vehicles.15 December wasour peak day lastyear, when wehandled 149 millionitems – our averagedaily mailbag is58 millionchristmasJustthejobCustomers receiving PensionCredit, Employment and SupportAllowance or Incapacity Benefit canbuy First and Second Class stampsthis year at 2011 prices between6 November and Christmas Eve.We recognise that Christmas is thebusiest time of year for social mail andthe lower price will be a big help formany customers.We’ve done a door drop to everyhousehold. But here’s the know-how ifyou get asked any questions:• The lower price stamps are for peopleon Pension Credit, Incapacity Benefit,Unemployability Supplement or Employmentand Support Allowance only• They will cost 46p for First Class and’Tis the season to be recruitingextra staff.We’re taking on up to 20,000 seasonalworkers this year to work in our packethubs and the normal operation, providingjobs for people at this time of year.Recruitment was opened up tofriends and family of employees firstback in September. The temporaryworkforce will be in place from mid-November, providing valuable jobswhile the economic climate is tough.The price is right36p for Second Class• Eligible customers can buy a maximumof 36 stamps – these can be all 1st class,all 2nd class or a mixture of the two• The stamps can be bought at all PostOffice branches across the UK• Customers must present proof thatthey get the specified benefits. Thisshould be a letter from the Departmentfor Work and Pensions (DWP), or SocialSecurity Agency in Northern Ireland,such as the annual uprating letter orthe award notice letter. Alternativelycustomers could present a Post OfficeCard account statement. The letteror statement must state the relevantbenefits and be dated within the past12 months.The last postYour handy guide to recommended lastposting dates for Christmas 2012UKFirst Class Thursday 20 DecemberSecond Class Tuesday 18 DecemberSpecial Delivery Saturday 22 DecemberInternationalAirmail:Asia, Far East, Australia, New ZealandWednesday 5 DecemberSouth & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle EastFriday 7 DecemberEastern Europe, USA, Canada Monday 10 DecemberWestern Europe Wednesday 12 DecemberSurface mail:Most international surface mail should have been postedby now, but there’s still time for customers to send itemsto Europe:Eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta and IcelandTuesday 6 NovemberBack for more... Bob in the 2011 hubWestern Europe Wednesday 12 DecemberTamworthPeterboroughSwanseaSwindonGreenfordThe Good Hub GuideOur packet hub in Peterborough processedFIVE MILLION items last Christ-preparations are going really well. We’ll have‘We started recruitment in September, andmas, making it one of our busiest.around 500 seasonal workers this year, upBob Coleman managed the operation and from 440 in 2011.is back for more.‘It’s the flow of the mail around the hub‘On one day alone last year we had 1,200 that makes it such a success as it minimisesYorks in the building,’ he says.the time it takes for a packet to go through‘It’s going to be even busier this year. the process.’46p36p