Royal Mail has warned its delivery offices are experiencing delays affecting homes and businesses in Leicestershire
Mia O’Hare Showbiz Reporter
10:56, 21 Mar 2026
A number of Leicestershire postcodes are affected(Image: martinrlee via Getty Images)
Royal Mail has issued a warning that numerous postcodes throughout the UK will experience delayed deliveries this weekend, including across Leicestershire. The postal operator typically delivers letters and parcels six days per week.
Nevertheless, the service has faced criticism regarding delivery disruptions alongside rising stamp costs. Weekend delivery and collection operations are scheduled for today, Saturday March 21, whilst parcel deliveries are set for tomorrow, Sunday March 22.
However, multiple sorting offices have reported setbacks, affecting specific postcodes. Royal Mail said: “We aim to deliver to all addresses we have mail for, six days a week.
“In a small number of local offices, this may temporarily not be possible due to local issues such as high levels of sick absence, resourcing, or other local factors. In those cases, we will rotate deliveries to minimise the delay to individual customers.
Royal Mail has issued a delay warning(Image: Getty Images)
“We also provide targeted support to those offices to address their challenges and restore our service to the high standard our customers would normally receive.”, reports the Mirror.
The company added: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.” Currently, 25 sorting offices nationwide are encountering delays this weekend.
This affects residential and commercial properties across 62 postcode districts. Areas across Leicestershire include Syston, Sutton Bonington, Shepshed and Loughborough.
The postal service received a £21 million penalty last October after failing to meet first and second class delivery targets during its previous financial year. Only 77% of first class post and 92.5% of second class were delivered on time in its 2024-25 financial year – falling short of its respective 93% and 98.5% targets.
This comes as Royal Mail prepares to increase stamp prices next month. From 6 April, First Class stamps will rise to £1.80 and Second Class stamps to 91p.
In 2020, a First Class stamp cost 76p. Next month, customers will pay £1.80 (up 10p), representing a 137% increase over six years. Since 2020, First Class stamp prices have increased eight times, according to Citizens Advice.
Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail, said: “We always consider price changes very carefully, balancing affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.
“On average, UK adults now spend just £6.50 each year on stamps and there are 70% fewer letters sent than 20 years ago.
“In the meantime, the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million to 32 million addresses across the UK.”
Royal Mail delays this weekend
Barrhead DO (G78)Birmingham East DO (B8 – B10)Castle Bromwich DO (B35, B36, B37, B40)Cranleigh DO (GU6)Erskine DO (PA7, PA8)Grimsby DO (DN31-DN37)Leicester North DO (LE4, LE7, LE41)Lichfield DO (WS7, WS13, WS14)Loughborough DO (LE11, LE12)Newcastle Under Lyme DO (ST5, ST55)New Ferry DO (CH32, CH62, CH63)Nuneaton DO (CV10, CV11, CV13)Oxford DO (OX1, OX2)Patchway DO (BS32, BS34, BS35)Pontefract DO (WF7-WF9, WF11)Redfern Park DO (B11, B12, B25-B27)Shepshed DO (LE12)Sleaford DO (NG34)Spean Bridge SPDO (PH31, PH34)Sutton Bonington SPDO (LE12)Syston SPDO (LE7)Thatcham DO (RG18-RG19)Upton DO (CH30, CH49)Whitechapel DO (E1,E1W,E98)Yate DO (BS37)
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