New collection service launches

A new mail and parcels collection service – Cornwall Collects –  is now offering Cornish businesses the opportunity to benefit for the first time from the same service enjoyed by businesses in other less remote areas of the country.

Cornwall’s largest printing & communication solutions company, Imprimus, has joined forces with Whistl, the second largest postal operator in the UK, to create Cornwall Collects; a new mail and parcel collection and consolidation service.

The service was originally set up to help Cornwall Council streamline their outbound mail process, with mail collections already in motion from six key council offices across county. The main aim of the service was to reduce Cornwall Councils expenditure for outbound mail, with a six-figure cost saving already predicted.

The new service will also give businesses in Cornwall of all sizes the opportunity to have their mail and parcels collected from their door, saving money by sending it alongside the one million letters and parcels already leaving the Imprimus headquarters in Redruth each week.

With collection vans initially serving routes across Bodmin, Camborne, Liskeard, Redruth, St. Austell, Truro –  and locations in between – Cornwall Collects will offer the same delivery times associated with Royal Mail 2^nd class post, but with a potential cost saving.

Imprimus managing director Tony Plummer says: “Cornwall is home to many successful businesses, but as 90% of them employ fewer than 9 employees[1], most can’t get the bulk postage discounts that big corporations out of county take for granted. By consolidating their mail and parcels, we can level that playing field and provide local businesses with an effective alternative.

“Although costs will vary by volume and location, we estimate that most businesses could save around 10% compared to standard Royal Mail 2^nd class postage costs – and it’s more convenient, too. In short, nobody need use a franking machine, or visit the post office anymore.”

Far from being just a cost-saving measure, Cornwall Collects’ service means local businesses and online retailers alike can have a mail and parcel collection straight from their door. It is designed to be simple and easy to use service and a seamless transition from other collection services.

Nigel Polglass COO Whistl commented: “Whistl has always been a champion for business efficiency and have a track record of bringing the benefits large businesses can access to the wider business community. We are very delighted to be working with Imprimus to bring the benefits of downstream access bulk mail and parcel services to Cornwall for the first time,”. “Now, small online retailers and ebay sellers will be able to enjoy the cost and service efficiencies currently only experienced by larger companies..

The service is now live, with the vans on the road providing Cornwall’s businesses an effective mail collection service.