No printer? No problem: Royal Mail brings smart lockers to NI – including Ballymena and Antrim

A customer uses a Royal Mail locker (Photos: Royal Mail)

Royal Mail has taken a significant step in reshaping how people send and collect parcels in Northern Ireland, launching its first-ever parcel lockers across four key locations — including Ballymena.

The move marks a clear shift towards greater flexibility for customers, as online shopping and second-hand marketplaces continue to grow at pace. With 24/7 access in busy, high-footfall areas, the lockers are designed to make parcel collection, sending and returns faster and more convenient.

The first four red lockers are now live at:

• 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)

For Ballymena residents, the addition at the local Delivery Office means round-the-clock access without needing to queue or work around traditional opening hours.

Meeting changing shopping habits

The launch forms part of Royal Mail’s wider strategy to expand customer choice. Demand for parcel collection points has surged, fuelled by the continued rise in online retail and the rapid growth of online resale platforms.

The lockers feature integrated label printing, removing the need for customers to own a printer at home. Users simply download a QR code for a return or for prepaid postage, scan it at the locker, and complete their transaction on the spot.

Find out more here.

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.”

Wider expansion across Northern Ireland

The lockers are part of a broader rollout of parcel services across Northern Ireland.

Royal Mail Shops are now positioned as one-stop destinations for collecting, sending and returning parcels, alongside purchasing postage. Many offer extended opening hours, including evenings and weekends.

Meanwhile, upgraded “postboxes of the future” are also being introduced. These solar-powered units feature a barcode scanner that opens a drop-down drawer, allowing customers to send and return small parcels that would not fit through a traditional letter slot.

Customers can also request proof of posting at any postbox using the Royal Mail app.

Alongside these innovations, Royal Mail continues to deliver to and collect from every address in Northern Ireland.

A first for shopping centres

Jacqui Kirkwood-Hamill and Chris Flynn from The Junction try out the new Royal Mail parcel locker

The installation at The Junction Retail & Leisure Park in Antrim carries another milestone — becoming the first shopping centre in Northern Ireland to introduce the service.

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! We’re proud to be part of this exciting rollout.”

As parcel habits continue to evolve, Royal Mail’s latest move signals a clear direction of travel: more flexibility, more access points, and services built around how people actually shop and send today.