Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead, visited Royal Mail’s new Home Counties North Mail Centre in Maylands on Friday (23rd September). He met with senior management from the Thames Valley region including Processing Director Ray Tompsett, Delivery Director Gary Burgess, QSI project lead James Fletcher and Sally Hopkins Senior External Relations Manager. They discussed a range of issues relating to the opening of the new mail centre and Royal Mail’s operations generally.

The new mail centre, which has been open for two months, will eventually process mail for large areas of Hertfordshire and North London as well as delivery for Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted. It will employ about 700 staff and represents a significant investment in the area.

Speaking during his tour of the facility, Mike Penning said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Royal Mail has chosen to locate a major mail processing centre here. This building was badly damaged during the Buncefield explosion and it is great to see it finally being fully utilised. This move gives a welcome boost to the regeneration of the Maylands business area.

“I appreciate that for many of the Royal Mail staff these changes are not easy, but I am very pleased that so far the move has gone relatively smoothly and resulted in a much more modern workplace.”

Royal Mail’s delivery operations for Berkhamsted have already transferred to Maylands, and deliveries for Hemel Hempstead will transfer in early 2012.

Royal Mail are currently recruiting casual staff for the Christmas period. Around 2,000 people are being sought across the Thames Valley region.

Photo: Mike Penning with Thames Valley Processing Director, Ray Tompsett

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