How is the royal mail and post office linked

The Royal Mail and Post Office are two separate entities, but they are closely linked and have a long history together. Here's how:

History: The Royal Mail was established in 1635 as a royal postal service to facilitate communication between the monarch and government officials. The Post Office, on the other hand, was founded in 1660 as a public postal service to provide mail delivery to the general public.

Early days: Initially, the Royal Mail and Post Office operated separately, with the Royal Mail handling official government communications and the Post Office providing mail services to the public. However, in 1840, the two organizations merged, and the Post Office took over the management of the Royal Mail's postal services.

Post Office Limited: In 1969, the Post Office was privatized and became Post Office Limited, a subsidiary of the Royal Mail Group. This meant that the Post Office was responsible for managing the retail network of post offices, while the Royal Mail focused on delivering mail and parcels.

Current arrangement: Today, the Royal Mail and Post Office are still linked, but they operate as separate entities. The Royal Mail is responsible for delivering mail and parcels, while the Post Office is responsible for managing the retail network of post offices, offering a range of financial and other services.

Services: The Post Office offers a range of services, including:

1. Mail services: The Post Office sells stamps, postal orders, and other mail-related products.
2. Financial services: The Post Office offers banking services, including current accounts, savings accounts, and loans.
3. Bill payments: The Post Office allows customers to pay bills, such as utility bills and council tax.
4. Travel services: The Post Office offers travel money, travel insurance, and other travel-related services.

Branches: The Post Office has a network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, many of which are located within Royal Mail delivery offices. This allows customers to access a range of services, including mail services, financial services, and bill payments, in a convenient and accessible location.

In summary, while the Royal Mail and Post Office are separate entities, they are closely linked and work together to provide a range of services to customers across the UK.