UOE

UOE: independent stationery, gifts and Post Office services on the high street

UOE describes itself as an award-winning independent stationery and gift retailer with branches across London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. The company states that most of its stores also feature Post Offices and Banking Hubs, positioning them as a local destination for both retail and everyday services. Its website presents UOE as the winner of the UK’s Best Independent Stationery Retailer award and says it helps over two million customers.

Stationery, cards and design-led gifts

Every UOE store stocks what the company calls its exclusive range of greetings cards, design-led gifts and stationery. The retail offer is built around curated cards from independent designers and a selection of gifts, alongside everyday stationery and packaging supplies. The website organises these ranges into stationery, packaging, greeting cards and gifts.

Post Office and banking services

Most branches incorporate a Post Office, and some also operate Banking Hubs. The services listed under the Post Office heading include posting, banking, travel and identity services. Specific in-store services named on the site include banking, digital identity services, mail and parcels, passport renewal, Post Office Drop & Go, road tax and driving licence renewal, travel insurance and travel money. The company also mentions cheque deposits for most banks, utility top-ups, foreign exchange and a Bank of England note swap service available at a few branches, specifically Golders Green and High Holborn.

Print shop and business support

All UOE stores have a print shop offering photo printing, scanning, copying, printing, binding and laminating. Beyond printing, the company provides mail boxes, virtual office addresses and a full range of mail handling services, aimed at people and businesses looking for a town centre virtual office address. The site also refers to office space and virtual office among its services.

Store network

The UOE branch list covers a large number of locations. In London these include Baker Street, Barnet, Brixton, Cambridge City, Crouch End, East Finchley, Golders Green, Hampstead, Harlesden, Harold Hill, High Holborn, Houndsditch, Islington, Kennington Park, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Kingsland High Street, Knightsbridge, London Bridge, Lower Edmonton, Muswell Hill, Mount Pleasant, Northolt, Paddington Quay, Raynes Park, Roman Road, Stamford Hill, Stoke Newington, Wealdstone, Wimbledon and Windsor. Outside London, the list includes Hertford, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Potters Bar, Reigate, St Albans, Thame and Ware, plus a Ware Banking Hub. The company states that each store has its own opening hours and that the services offered can differ slightly from branch to branch.

Accessibility and store policies

According to the website, all branches have wide entrances, electric sliding doors where required, ramps where necessary and lifts to all floor areas. Counters are fitted with two-level serving heights and packaging zones are also set at two levels, and some counters have hearing loops. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in all branches. Two-wheeled electric scooters are not permitted in store, and bicycles must be left outside unless they are foldable.

Customer feedback and company information

The site includes customer testimonials, including one describing UOE East Finchley as providing professional and friendly service and another praising the staff and the integration of the Post Office service. UOE also publishes news updates, such as a back-to-school stationery feature and the relocation of the Islington Post Office to a new home from 14th July. The company provides separate contact addresses for general enquiries, its hub, careers, investors and landlords.