Royal Mail has launched its first parcel lockers in Northern Ireland as part of its strategy to give customers as many options as possible for collecting, sending and returning packages.

The new lockers provide 24/7 access in convenient, high-footfall locations, including Royal Mail delivery offices and third‑party retail sites.

They will, according to the postal service operator, help to meet growing demand for parcel points, driven by the continued rise of online shopping and the rapid growth of online second-hand marketplaces.

The province’s first four red lockers are now live at:

placeholder image — Jacqui Kirkwood-Hamill and Chris Flynn, from The Junction, try out the new Royal Mail parcel locker. Photo provided by Royal Mail

Northern Ireland Mail Centre, Newtownabbey (BT36 4HQ);
The Junction Retail & Leisure Park, Antrim (BT41 4LL);
Ballymena Delivery Office (BT42 2HQ);
Londonderry Delivery Office (BT48 7BE).

The units feature label printing, making the process convenient for customers who do not have access to a printer. To use the lockers, people can simply download a QR code for a return or for postage paid for online.

Michael Clarke, regional operations director for Northern Ireland at Royal Mail, said: “Launching parcel lockers in Northern Ireland is another important step in expanding our network and giving our customers even more choice.

"These lockers offer a quick, secure and convenient way for customers to collect, send and return parcels at a time and place that suits them.”

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Chris Flynn, centre director at The Junction Retail & Leisure Park, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Royal Mail parcel locker to The Junction, Antrim.

"As the first shopping centre in Northern Ireland to introduce the service, we know that our customers will love the convenience of being able to collect, send and return parcels when they're out shopping or grabbing a coffee.”

Royal Mail went on to point out it is rapidly expanding parcel pick-up and drop-off options as follows:

Royal Mail Shops offer a one‑stop destination for collecting, sending and returning parcels, as well as buying postage, with extended opening hours including evenings and weekends.
Postboxes of the future allow customers to easily send and return small parcels from their local upgraded postbox. The solar‑powered postboxes feature a barcode scanner, which opens a drop-down drawer to place parcels that are larger than those that fit through the traditional postbox slot.
Customers can also now request proof of posting at any postbox using the Royal Mail app.