What are peoples thoughts on running a post office as a business

[luvbusiness]

Well ive been looking into the possibility of running a post office as a business.But it does seem a strange one.I,ll explain.
Its government backed and I know the government went through a phase of shutting some down to try and make the network more profitable.The post office I would say is there for everyone so more like a social bank .Able to provide banking services to the elderly and less mobile.They might have branches in small villages they might not be very profitable but none the less give a very good service.
Thing is when you look at where the subpostmaster gets his wage from it is from people coming through his door selling them travellers cheques,DVLA business, paying them benefit money etc.Some of this though is being moved online which is being pushed by the government.So it seems the government is backing the post office branches but also slowly taking away its income.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

[Astaroth]

Cannot remember the last time I saw a stand alone sub post office and all are now in small shops - in fact even the general post offices I knew have all shut and are now a department in WH Smiths.

No idea of the business details of running a post office but are you really looking at just being a post office or is this a shop that has a post office section?

 

[Atilla]

Based on local evidence and conversations with chappie behind the counter, this is not the profitable business it once was.

With so many having been closed down, the remaining ones are now, for the moment, suffering from endless queues. Great, you might think. Unfortunately this does not bode well. People will not queue willingly, they will vote with their feet...and use t'internet.
So, one day you'll suddenly wonder where all your customers have gone.
May not be the viable option you first thought.