Following the announcement earlier this year that Royal Mail is introducing the UK’s first ever parcel postboxes in locations across the UK, one of Leicestershire’s first parcel postboxes has been unveiled by local MP Nicky Morgan.
This means that small businesses and marketplace sellers can post pre-paid parcels through securely designed parcel postboxes, in the same way that they currently post a letter. Combined with Royal Mail’s Click and Drop postage printing service, combined with parcel postboxes, for the first time small and micro businesses can operate around the clock at times that suit them.
In the old days, a small eBay seller who also works full time (as I once was myself) had to try and rush to the Post Office during their lunch hour. Often faced with queues at Post Office counters around the country this wasn’t ideal, but now parcels can be dropped off on the way to work, on the way home, or for shift workers in the middle of the night if that’s the most convenient time for them.
“Small businesses are at the heart of our local economy and, given the changing way we shop and do business, with the rise of the internet and e-commerce, I welcome Royal Mail’s commitment to enable small businesses and marketplace sellers to post pre-paid parcels in the same way they currently post letters.”
– Rt Hon Nicky Morgan, Member of Parliament for Loughborough
The launch of parcels postboxes across the UK will see Royal Mail convert around 1400 existing meter boxes to accept parcels posted in the same way that letters are today. The postboxes include a wider aperture and secure design. The initiative follows a successful trial of the boxes in 2018.
This is the first time parcel postboxes have been widely introduced in the UK, and the launch represents the first major change of use for the postbox since it was introduced 160 years ago. The launch of parcel postboxes is also one of the biggest innovations in parcels since the launch of Parcel Post in 1883
Customers will also be able to post some return parcels at any time, seven days a week.
