More than 60 Post Offices to move into WH Smith

Up to 61 Post Office branches will be moved into WH Smith stores over the next 12 months, it was revealed on Wednesday.

The state-owned company, separate from the publicly traded Royal Mail delivery operation, said the move was part of a decade-long agreement to relocate more counters into the FTSE 250 retailer’s stores.

Around half of the branches being moved into WH Smith locations will be concessions, run directly by Post Office Ltd.

“We know that people place huge importance on the presence of a Post Office branch on their high street,” said chief executive Paula Vennells.

“Our collaboration with WH Smith will help to secure this, as well as bring new investment into the network.”

The exact locations for the moves was not confirmed, though it could include some of the Crown-owned Post Offices. In January, it was signalled that the Crown branches would be franchised.

There were already 107 Post Offices in WH Smith stores.