Royal Mail has announced plans to install the UK's first-ever parcel postboxes, with 1,400 new boxes set to be deployed across more than 30 locations over six months starting in August.
The new postboxes will be introduced in cities including Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff and Leeds. Customers can post parcels in the same way as letters, provided postage is pre-paid using Royal Mail's online labelling service.
This marks the first major change to the postbox system since letter postboxes were introduced in the 1850s. Royal Mail described it as one of the biggest innovations in parcels since the launch of Parcel Post in 1883.
The rollout follows a successful trial last year. Royal Mail will convert existing meter boxes, which have a larger aperture and secure design, into parcel postboxes.
Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail, said: 'We hope that the wider roll-out gives added flexibility to online sellers who might be running a business in their spare time and not keeping regular office hours.' People can also use the system to return parcels with a Royal Mail barcode attached.
