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The Post Office and Royal Mail have confirmed they will be teaming up to provide parcel lockers outside of Post Office branches across the UK.
The move will mean people can send, collect and return parcels 24/7, including outside of branch opening hours.
Royal Mail told this paper that the list of branches being included in the initial six-month trial is still being finalised.
So, while some Wiltshire towns or villages could be set to benefit, the exact locations have not yet been revealed.
The trial is part of Royal Mail’s strategy to give customers as many options as possible for sending, returning and collecting parcels.
These lockers will be installed in addition to existing Post Offices, which will continue to offer the usual services and sell all Royal Mail products.
The new lockers will offer label printing, meaning customers without access to a printer can still use them.
To use them, customers need to pay for postage online and get a QR code, or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.
Anna Malley, director of partnerships and acquisitions at Royal Mail, said: “Post Office is one of Royal Mail’s most important partners, and this is an exciting step forward in how we work together.
“The trial reflects our commitment to meeting a wide range of customer needs whilst also maintaining existing options.
“It’s about making life easier for our customers by giving them a choice that suits their individual preferences.”
Neill O’Sullivan, mails and parcels director at Post Office, added: “We are delighted that after a 370-year partnership with Royal Mail, we continue to innovate and ensure parcel services meet the needs of customers who want the flexibility of using a locker for their parcel collection and delivery.
“We will evaluate this trial, and in particular the benefits it has brought to our postmasters, and look forward to working with Royal Mail over the next few months on this trial.”
The opportunity to send and collect parcels outside of branch opening hours may be popular among Chippenham residents.
In recent weeks, there has been frustration at repeated closures of the Market Place branch, located in the One Stop store.
A Post Office spokesperson confirmed that staff are currently working to ensure normal service resumes at the branch soon, following a spate of brief closures.
