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Network Rail is trialling Doddle, a parcel collection and delivery service at its mainline stations, to be available to all retailers, parcel carriers and shippers.
The aim is to create a network of single points for the collection, return and sending of parcels, to serve the booming online retail market.
Added-value offerings will include quality checks, technical swaps, loan replacements and high security services.
The parcel shops will have early to late opening hours, seven days a week, and will be supported by a transactional website and advanced touch point notifications through a Mobile App, SMS and email.
Initial trials will run at Milton Keynes Central station with its 3,000 employees, and then at London Paddington and Woking stations with other stations to follow throughout 2014.
This would potentially create 4,000 new jobs.
Doddle is a joint venture with entrepreneur Lloyd Dorfman CBE, who founded the Travelex Group.
Project director Peter Louden, said: “Our initial conversations with both leading retailers and carriers have been extremely positive with many indicating a desire to become an early adopter. They are excited by the fantastic locations and the guaranteed footfall which is expected to increase by 30 per cent by 2020.
“There are around 1.5 billion passenger journeys taking place every year plus a large proportion of the UK population lives within five miles of a railway station. This makes it a highly convenient solution for many consumers.”
