Millions of Royal Mail customers are being warned about a significant postal overhaul set to arrive later this month. Originally scheduled for October 18, the new rule has since been delayed and will now take effect from October 25.
In a sweeping shake-up to its services, Royal Mail has confirmed it is cutting the length of time it will hold parcels at local collection points. From this date, items delivered to a Post Office branch or a Royal Mail Parcelshop at the request of either the sender or recipient will only be available for collection for 10 days - a reduction of eight days from the current 18-day window.
What the change means for customers
This significant change applies to items specifically chosen for delivery to a Post Office or Parcelshop at the checkout, as well as parcels redirected there following an unsuccessful delivery attempt at your home by a postie.
However, Royal Mail has made clear that items held at a Customer Service Point, including Post Office branches acting as a Customer Service Point, will continue to be held for the full 18 days.
What is a Royal Mail Parcelshop?
For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a Royal Mail Parcelshop - often referred to as a Royal Mail Shop or designated drop-off point - is a physical location such as a local convenience store, a standard Post Office branch, or a parcel locker where customers are able to send, collect, or return their items. The postal service operates a sprawling network of more than 24,000 drop-off and collection points throughout the UK.
This extensive network encompasses rebranded Collect+ outlets, traditional Post Office branches, parcel lockers, customer service points, and handy parcel postboxes.
Other Royal Mail changes
The parcel collection update forms just one element of a broader package of reforms designed to bring the UK's postal service into the modern era. In a landmark move, standard second-class letters will now be delivered on alternate days only.
Meanwhile, standard bulk business letters - which usually comprise vital mail such as household bills and bank statements - are moving to a three-day delivery target. Royal Mail has assured that first-class deliveries will continue as a six-day-a-week service, operating from Monday through Saturday.
The postal operator anticipates the new delivery schedules will be fully rolled out across all of its 1,200 delivery units by year's end. Along with the schedule alterations, Royal Mail is also revising its performance targets.
The company will now strive to deliver 90% of first-class letters by the next day, a modest drop from the previous 93% target. For second-class mail, the target is being reduced to 95% delivered within three days, down from 98.5%.
