What Next

Whilst the local NHS is still in navel gazing mode as to its future delivery structure it seems that village/sub post offices are the next target for modernisation.

Village post offices do a great job, unfortunately that can not be said for the main post office in Horsham. Visited the Horsham post office yesterday afternoon and joined the usual queue - sixteen of us waiting to be served by four counter staff. Not a bad ratio I suppose. But, why is it, that every time a customer is served, it seems, the counter staff then make a dash for the back office before serving another customer? Do they need a fag or sip their tea? Whatever it is, the queue gets longer, and we all waste more time.

Its not just the lack of customer service that is irritating. Why does the post office have to be cluttered with so much merchandising tat? Who wants outdated CDs and the like? Use the space to provide a proper service. Perhaps that is too radical.

Another matter which puts into perspective the total lack of interest or understanding by local post office management concerns the kiosk selling lottery tickets, stamps and tat. Yesterday, I went there to buy some stamps and asked if my letters could be weighed so that I bought the correct stamp, only to be told that the weighing machines were on the main counter and that I should join the queue. Whoever thought that one up deserves a bonus.

And another thing. Posted a letter, first class recorded delivery on 2nd January, since when I have tried to track the item, only to be told by the Royal Mail web site to "try again later" Seems to be a goner.

Its just a thought, perhaps the main post office should be closed, leaving the sub post offices to continue their excellent service. But what to do with an empty building in the middle of Horsham? Well, why not another estate agent, mobile phone shop, charity shop? Better still what about another Italian restaurant? We only have five at the moment.

What next? Well, I expect with all this rain there is bound to be a hosepipe ban.