Royal Mail is shaking up its offering by introducing a brand new service which will see postal workers collect parcels right from your doorstep for the very first time.
The new service – which launches across the UK today – is known as Parcel Collect.
Put quite simply, it means people will be able to send parcels without the need to leave the house, as customers who make use of the service will be asked to pay a fee of 72p on top of standard postage costs for every parcel they send, with pre-paid return items only costing 60p each.
Royal Mail said the collection service was one of the biggest changes to the daily round of postal workers since the postbox was launched in 1852 and he first parcel post was introduced in 1883.
It comes as the national postal service’s response after it has struggled with the shift away from letters to parcels as firms rely more on email for routine communications and consumers become more comfortable with online shopping and returning items.
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So, how does the service work then?
Well, postal workers can now collect up to five items per customer per day, every day of the week (apart from Sundays) and packages must be no bigger than 61cm x 46cm x 46cm in volume, and 20kg in weight.
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We’ve launched a brand new parcel pick-up service across the UK!
‘Parcel Collect’ allows you to book a collection of items directly from your front door or a nominated safe place for a small fee.
Upon declaring the size and weight of the package, customers will then be able to work out the correct cost of postage for their item and print out a pre-paid label.
Items will be collected from the door, or from a safe place on the property chosen by the customer.
Customers will be able to make bookings only via Royal Mail’s “click and drop” online service up to five days in advance until midnight on the day before collection, and then the service will provide collection slots of between two and four hours.
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You can head to the Royal Mail website here, or use the Royal Mail app and opt for ‘Parcel Collect’ to use the service.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated the shift to online shopping – with restrictions closing non-essential high street shops for months during 2020 – and Royal Mail reported a £139m increase in total revenue in the five months to 30th August, as circumstances caused a surge in parcel deliveries.
Parcel volumes during that period rose by a third year-on-year, with an increase of 177 million parcels.
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A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
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John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2020 
