Northern helping to reduce traffic congestion AND boost local businesses near their stations with 100th InPost locker installation

The roll-out, which began in March 2021, forms part of the train operator’s pledge to breathe new life into its 476 stations – not just for rail users, but for the communities they serve as well - as part of its 'stations as a place' scheme.

Founded in Poland in 1999, InPost has over 50,000 Out Of Home (OOH) delivery options across nine major European markets and is Europe's leading automated parcel machine (APM) service provider. In the UK, they partner with some of the biggest online retailers including Vinted, eBay, BooHoo and PrettyLittleThing.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “Our network reaches right into the heart of hundreds of communities across the North of England.

"By opening up our station estate to products and services such as those provided by InPost, we’re able to make life easier for our customers. But we’re also supporting the business community too, as InPost research suggests that 50% of their locker users go on to visit nearby shops.

“Lockers are three times greener than traditional home delivery, reducing congestion in residential areas and helping people cut the carbon emissions of their shopping. It’s win-win.”

Peter Blackburn, international commercial director at InPost, commented: “We are rapidly growing our network of over 5,000 parcel lockers in the UK to meet the demand from consumers and businesses alike for convenient parcel delivery services. Today’s announcement is indicative of this – and it’s great to see Northern’s passengers benefit from our locker network.

“Whether commuting or travelling for leisure, passengers can now easily drop off and pick up parcels at a time and location that suits them. We are proud of the additional benefits that our partnership is also bringing local communities, alongside convenience, as the addition of our lockers helps to reinforce these locations as important hubs for the local community.”

Northern's 'stations as a place' scheme sees the train operator work with local and national businesses to add new services and capabilities to its station estate. Examples of existing partnerships include convenience stores, meeting rooms, flexible working spaces, community facilities and electric car charging. 

Powles added: "Our stations are busy places with high daily footfall and we're always interested to hear from business owners and leaders who want to work with us."

For more information, visit: www.northernrailway.co.uk/about-us/commercial/commercial-rental-opportunities 

Available 24/7, InPost Lockers provide a genuinely convenient and accessible way for people to pick up or return parcels quickly and easily as part of their daily commute across the Northern network.

InPost Lockers are now available at the following stations: Adlington (Cheshire), Alderley Edge, Allens West, Altrincham, Apperley Bridge, Ashley, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Atherton, Baildon, Barnsley, Barrow In Furness, Belle Vue, Bentley, Berry Brow, Bishop Auckland, Blackpool North, Bradford Forster Square, Bramley, Bredbury, Brinnington, Broadbottom, Buckshaw Parkway, Burnley Central, Burscough Bridge, Carnforth, Castleton, Cheadle Hulme, Chorley, Congleton, Cottingley, Cross Gates, Croston, Disley, Dove Holes, Driffield, Eccleston Park, Euxton Balshaw Lane, Garforth, Gargrave, Garswood, Gathurst, Glasshoughton, Goole, Green Bank, Guide Bridge, Handforth, Harrogate, Hatfield and Stainforth, Hazel Grove, Headingley, Heald Green, Heysham Port, Holmes Chapel, Hornbeam Park, Hough Green, Huyton, Hyde Central, Hyde North, Irlam, Kearsley, Kirkstall Forge, Knottingley, Knutsford, Lea Green, Littleborough, Lockwood, Low Moor, Lytham, Marton, Mauldeth Road, Menston, Micklefield, Mouldsworth, Mytholmroyd, New Mills Newtown, New Pudsey, Newton-Le-Willows, Nunthorpe, Outwood, Padgate, Parton, Patricroft, Penistone, Pontefract Monkhill, Poppleton, Poynton, Reddish North, Rochdale, Rose Hill (Marple), Sandbach, Sankey For Penketh, Seaham, Shipley, Silverdale, Slaithwaite, South Elmsall, St.Helens Central, Starbeck, Strines, Styal, Todmorden, Wakefield Kirkgate, Widnes and Wilmslow.

On Sunday 21 May, Northern’s new summer timetable comes into effect and all customers, especially those who have made regular journeys on the same train times, are advised to check before they travel. For more information, visit: www.northernrailway.co.uk/timetablechange

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.