Four-fifths of small firms 'depend on Post Office'

Date: 25th February 2009

Four-fifths of the UK's small firms depend on the Post Office for their day-to-day business, it has been discovered.

Statistics published by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reveal that 80 per cent of smaller companies depend on their local post offices, which provide a vital service alongside accountants.

Despite this, over 2,500 post offices have been closed during the past 12 months - a figure which the FSB demands the government cannot let rise.

Trade and industry chairman for the FSB, Clive Davenport, said: "Post offices are small businesses in their own right and are at the heart of many communities.

"The FSB is urging the government to ensure we have a fully operating postal service to serve the needs of our 4.7 million small businesses."

Another small business sector in the form of British pubs is suffering due to increased taxation and regulatory burden, the Conservative Party claims.