Tesco has shown an interest in potentially taking over 108 Crown Post Offices, as the organisation looks into moving them to a franchise model.
Speaking to MPs this week, Post Office chairman, Nigel Railton, said the grocery giant had informed it of a potential interest in acquiring the directly managed offices, Sky News reported.
One MP who attended the discussions over the sites’ future claimed Railton had indicated the supermarket was among a small number of suitors that could snap up the post offices.
It comes after doubt was cast over the Crown Post Office’s future in the autumn under a wider strategic review, led by Railton.
The talk between Railton and the group of MPs was set up to discuss the fate of the directly managed sites, that comprise a very small part of its business.
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However, trade union officials have voiced concern over the Post Office’s proposals.
A spokesperson for Post Office said: “We are fully committed to engaging openly and transparently with MPs regarding any potential plans related to our directly managed branch (DMB) network.
“Since inviting expressions of interest for 108 Post Offices that we currently operate, we have received interest from retail partners and independent postmasters in the hundreds.
“We remain committed to engaging with our trade unions over the potential future ownership of our directly managed branches, which are loss-making for us, into March before updating our colleagues who work in these branches on any potential next steps.”
Tesco declined to comment on the matter.
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