Assessment of the proposed impact of post-office closure in Leicestershire (UK) using GIS-based network analysis

This paper reports the impact of the proposed Post-Office closure in Leicestershire due to the Network Change Program, initiated to close down up to 2,500 Post Offices across the United Kingdom (UK). The paper explores the spatial relationships between Post Offices and their accessibility to different socio-economic groups in the area under investigation. Network analysis (OD Cost Matrix) was used to denote output areas as the origin (demand) and Post Offices as the destination (supply). The results of this analysis reveal that the number of post offices targeted by the government for closure is not attainable in this particular English county. When the results were linked to the county's demographic profile and socioeconomic data, only the first (part a) and last criteria were met before and after the closure of the Post Offices in this county. Over 99% of the total population of Leicestershire is found within three miles of their nearest Post Office. The total rural population within three miles of their nearest Post Office was recorded at over 97%. Thus, Post-Office accessibility for people in urban areas was recorded at less than 70%, compared to the government minimum criteria of 99% and 95%, for deprived urban areas and the sum total urban areas, respectively. The paper also argues that, although the criterion for rural areas was met, the government minimum standard criteria create a serious imbalance in terms of providing post offices to many rural dwellers. The study concludes by recommending ways for alternatives that minimize the said impact of the proposed closure.