COUNTER POSTAGE LABELS ("HORIZON" LABELS)
From 9
November 2007, the service indicators for inland letter mail on the
Postage Labels dispensed at Post Office branch counters were changed,
to facilitate the separation of mail into the categories introduced in
2006 by “Pricing in Proportion” – Letters, Large Letters and Packets.
The indicators 1 for all first class letter mail and 2 for all second
class were replaced by:
1L, 1LL and 1PK for the three categories of first class
2L, 2LL and 2PK for the three categories of second class.
However, from 27th July 2009, the indicators for Large Letters were changed to 1LG and 2LG, with BLG for BFPO mail. At the same time, the indicator for International Airsure letters was changed to AAX. A full list of the codes used, both current and obsolete, can be found on the website UK ATM Philately - see link below under Post & Go.
On 8th June 2009 a
trial commenced at Camden High Street PO, on Special Delivery items only, of a new style of counter postage
label. The self-adhesive labels, 2 to a sheet, were pre-printed with a
gold Machin head of the Queen, and had simulated perforations to
resemble conventional stamps. The trial finished on 11th September 2009.
The next development on the Horizon labels bearing the Queen's
head in gold has now taken place in the form of an second experiment, intended to be limited to post
offices in Wales.
An initial distribution was due to be made giving a potential first day of use
on 13 April at some offices, but it appears that the distribution was made
about one week late, so that in practice the first feasible day of use could
not have been until 20 April. The
intention was to run the experiment in Wales for long enough to identify any
problems arising and, if necessary, to make changes to the design. Only then
was it planned to roll issue of the new labels out to the rest of the country.
One problem has already been noticed. The labels, which now have serrated
edges and are printed on slightly thinner paper than previously, are
considerably more difficult to peel off the backing, and the intricate
pattern of slits does not help; this could slow up the transaction time.
Despite the trial being intended to take place only in Wales, at least
one English PO (in the Orpington area) received in error a consignment
including gold labels on 19 April! At
the office in question the labels were first used - exceptionally - on 21
April. Gold labels were then distributed throughout the UK, and no more white labels were issued.
Most recently, on 23 August 2010, a new format of gold label, with straight edges and rounded corners, presumably designed to overcome the problems of peeling the "perforated" version, was brought into use at Old Street PO, London EC1, as shown here.
“POST AND GO” MACHINES
At
the end of October or early in November 2007, further "Post and Go"
self service machines were installed in selected Post Offices, offering
the same services as those placed originally in Maidstone, Birmingham and Belfast.
Machines were installed at the following branches: Clapham Common
(London SW4), The Galleries (Bristol), Gorton (Manchester), Doncaster,
Sunderland and South Shields.
Further changes took place in
October 2008, involving new label formats - both for "on the spot" use
(Post & Go) and for retention and use later (Fast Stamps). Initially, Post & Go labels had smooth edges on all sides (Type 1A), but later examples have simulated perforations at top and bottom (Type 1B). Machines are being installed in a number of locations, as PO branches are refurbished. More
illustrations and the latest information on sites can be found at the
weblog UK ATM Philately.
On 5th June 2009, a new font for Post & Go labels (Type 2) was introduced at North Finchley PO and several other offices. However, on 30th June yet another version (Type 3) came into use at Clapham High Street PO and several other locations. This has a similar service indicator to online SmartStamps, and is now in general use in other Post & Go locations.
On 17th September, the first pictorial Post & Go stamps will be issued from machines at 30 locations across the UK, the Queen's head being replaced by colour illustrations of garden birds. There will be 6 different designs; as P&G stamps are printed in strips with a maximum length of 5 stamps, the possible permutations of se-tenant design and denominations will be numerous! The designs and launch Post Office branches are shown on the UK ATM Philately site, as well as in the philatelic press.
Page updated 5th September 2010
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