Post branches in rural areas: How the structural change affects our villages

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In today's world, in which many rural areas are faced with an increasing acceptance of local shops, things are increasingly gloomy for the accessibility of postal and communication services. The focus is particularly on the condition of the post office, which have a key character for the population in many regions. A current challenge is shown in Grevenbroich-Neurath, where there is a lack of a necessary post office.

The state requirements emphasize that the next post office should be nearby to provide the residents sufficiently. However, this becomes a challenge for Deutsche Post, especially in rural regions in which there are often no sufficient branches available. The structural change in society has a significant impact on the fact that many small retailers have to close. If the last supermarket or the kiosk no longer exists in a village, there is often no other partner who would be willing to operate a post office.

The influence of the current situation

According to the Federal Network Agency, there was 141 vacant postal branch nationwide in July this year, which represents an increase in 16 branches compared to February. However, the numbers are variable and are subject to running fluctuations, which reinforces the overall problem. The absence of post office is not just a logistical problem; It is also a sign of change in the needs and structure of society. Without local contact points, rural communities can lose connection to central services.

Deutsche Post has long caught the task of maintaining their service in outskirts. This is particularly evident where the customer base is reduced and the economic model of a branch is endangered. If the withdrawal of retailers who could offer these services, the situation becomes even more precarious.

The meaning of this topic cannot be assessed highly enough. For many people, especially for older citizens or those without their own car, the accessibility of postal services is crucial. It is a basic supply that should ensure that every person has access to important services that are essential for everyday life. It remains to be seen how Deutsche Post react to these challenges and whether new concepts are being developed to sustainably improve the service landscape in rural areas.