How to Set-up a Mail Forwarding Service in the UK

Every business has a different set of needs and requirements when it comes to their office and admin set up.

Some will require vast spaces, complete with warehouses, loading bays and sorting rooms, whereas others just need an internet connection and a phone line.

Luckily, there are some professional and affordable solutions to fill any gaps in your set up. And as one of the most crucial aspects of any business is its address, setting up a mail forwarding service is one of the most important areas to have covered. 

What is a mail forwarding service?

A mail forwarding service gives your company an address in a great city centre location to which your customers and clients can send letters, invoices and receipts.

As soon as any letters arrive, they are then forwarded on to your home address or the address of your main office.

How can it benefit your company?

The main benefit of having a mail forwarding service is having a prestigious address in a good area, without having to pay real rent for it.

A good address will help to inspire confidence in your clients and customers, and make your business appear more professional and more established. 

How much does it cost?

The cost of a mail forwarding service can vary between providers, but you can normally expect to pay an initial set up cost of around £25 followed by a monthly subscription of around £30.

You may also be required to pay per item that is forwarded to your address, which could be the cost of the postage plus a 10% handling fee.

When you consider how much it would cost to rent, furnish and staff a real city centre office, a mail forwarding service works out to be significantly more cost effective. 

Where can your address be?

There are various mail providers around the country, offering mail forwarding services in different cities, but the most advantageous addresses have got to be in London and Manchester.

It’s probably best to pick the city closest to your home, although this isn’t absolutely necessary. Most good providers will have a list of good addresses in these cities, where your correspondence can be sent before being forwarded to your home address.

What paperwork do you need to set up a mail forwarding service?

In recent years trading standards have clamped down on mail forwarding services due to the number of rogue traders who were using them. This means that providers are now required to check at least two forms of identification from each applicant, before a service is set up.

Normally you will just be asked to scan or fax your driving license and a utility bill to prove your name and address, although further paper work may be required.

What other services can be set up?

To compliment your mail forwarding service, you can also have phone line set up that will forward calls to your home address.

This can either be a non-geographic number like 0845, or for an extra fee you can have a London number set up that will send calls straight through to your landline or mobile.

Even if you discontinue the mail forwarding service, you should be able to keep your phone line, so customers will still be able to get in touch without a problem.

Mail forwarding services are very easy and simple to set up and can see you with a prime city centre address for your business in no time. Giving you the chance to make the most of your company, help it grow and make it into a real success.