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Royal Mail staff have continued to deliver post during the pandemic and faced increased workloads as people shop from home. Stay at home orders have, at times, seen them overwhelmed, especially during Christmas 2020. Service has returned to near-normal in early 2021 but some setbacks remain.
What time does Royal Mail stop delivering?
The Royal Mail doesn't operate on the same schedule everywhere in the UK.
The company operates a network of roughly 37 mail centres scattered around Britain.
These centres serve delivery offices, many of which operate from densely populated areas.
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© GETTYWhat time do Royal Mail stop delivering evg
© GETTYRoyal Mail: Royal Mail delivery
As such, delivery times vary for people in urban and rural areas.
The Royal Mail said it aims to deliver to urban areas by 3pm, and rural by 4pm, but this depends on distance and conditions.
The company states: "We aim to deliver to addresses in urban areas by 3pm every working day and addresses in rural areas by 4pm every working day (exceptions are made for remote areas with limited transport links such as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland).
"While our aim is to meet these times wherever possible, there may be slight delays in some extreme circumstances, eg traffic delays or adverse weather conditions."
© GETTYRoyal Mail: Collection
"People who miss a delivery during these times can arrange to pick up their package."
In this case, they should receive a red slip with information about their item.
Customers can then reschedule the delivery for free to theirs or another home.
Those who want to collect it instead can collect it from their local Post Office branch for a fee.
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What are Royal Mail collection times?
The times at which Royal Mail staff collect mail also vary in much the same way.
However, collections tend to vary more broadly depending on the area workers operate.
The company has provided six time frames when it expects staff to collect mail.
Royal Mail staff will collect mail at the following times:
Commercial Area
Monday to Friday: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Saturday: 7am to 1pm
Town/City Area
Monday to Friday: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Saturday: 7am to 1pm
Rest of UK
Monday to Friday: 4pm to 5.3opm
Saturday: 7am to 1pm
Deep Rural
Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday: 7am to 1pm
Business Boxes
Monday to Friday: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Saturday: 7am to 1pm