Royal Mail announces jobs boost

By bolstering its parcel delivery division, Royal Mail is to create 1,000 jobs in the UK across four years, with 150 new positions in Chorley to start in autumn next year.

The organisation is to spend £75m improving Parcelforce Worldwide, including building three new depots in the UK. Two will be based in Cornwall and Hampshire whilst the third, a 300,000sq ft distribution centre, will open in Chorley in late 2013.

Recent financial results show the parcels business accounts for just short of half of the group's revenues, excluding the Post Office.

Chief executive Moya Greene said: “Our £75m investment is part of Royal Mail Group’s strategy to grow its parcels businesses in the UK and overseas. Our strategy is to convert the rise in parcel volumes in to profitable growth. That means becoming a much more customer-focused company being run on commercial lines and investing in new, vital technology.

“The investment will enable Royal Mail Group’s express parcels business to meet the rapid growth in demand in the business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer markets.”