Post Office

Long queues so only go here if you have plenty of time to spare! I would imagine they have most services here, however due to it’s location it is incredibly busy at most times and they have a number system in operation. My suggestion would be to use one of the post offices in the suburbs, such as at Cemetery Junction, Whitley or on Erleigh Road.

My local Post Office in London is small and drab and has incredibly slow service, so it was a refreshing change to visit Reading’s light, bright and ultra modern version.
There is no queuing here! Instead you take a ticket and wait for your number to be called, meaning you can mill about, sit on the comfy chairs or even go off to another shop and come back. Freedom from the queue!
Even better, there are some self service machines for straightforward first and second class mail, so rather than take my chances in the 21 strong non-​queue I just weighed my parcel myself and fixed on the postage label.
Brilliant.

Well organized, if crowded. Stopping in to post an international package on the first Saturday after the holidays and much snow, there were at least 70 people waiting for service. Rather than a long queue (‘line’ in American), you get a ticket from the machine and they eventually call your number. Nice system, it means you can browse and find a semi-​comfortable seat while you wait.
Plenty of post-​related supplies for sale — tape, envelopes, boxes, pens, paper. Two automated machines for weighing and buying stamps for the simple things.
Maybe it’s just me, but there is a lot going on at the post office. Insurance, financial services, even broadband and phone. And I’ve heard that they’re looking to turn the post into a bank too! In the States, the postal people just deal with the mail and the occasional passport application. I found this smörgåsbord of services and offerings a little overwhelming.
When my number was eventually called (about 20 minutes), the counter clerk was every efficient and polite. Helpful, even.

This is the main post office in Reading.
Being the main store it is modern, bright and spacious.
It is located in the corner of the Market Place.
There are about ten counters and a separate one if you just want to buy stamps without weighing anything.
Of course there are cards, boxes, wrapping paper, glue, sellotape all you need for your normal postal needs.
You can also buy insurance, foreign currency, and financial products from the Post Office.
I have to say it is always choca block in there. The wait is usually 15 to 20 minutes.
I normally stick to a smaller post office as they tend not to be so busy.