Amazon joins rail station 'click and collect' plan

Amazon, the internet retailer planning to let customers pick up parcels from Tube station ticket offices earmarked for closure, has struck a deal with Doddle, the “click and collect” joint venture between Network Rail and Travelex millionaire Lloyd Dorfman.

Doddle is planning 300 click and collect centres at British train stations, such as Kings Cross, pictured, over the next three years at a cost of £24m.

Retailers New Look, T M Lewin and internet fashion website Asos have signed up to use Doddle’s services and Mr Dorfman told the Telegraph that a similar deal has been forged with Amazon. “They’re sorting out the systems issues and have agreed to begin using Doddle in September.”

Asked whether the service would primarily interest retailers who had not yet developed their own click and collect ventures, he said Amazon was the “most convincing customer we’ve come to an agreement with”.

Amazon was last year reported to be in talks with London Underground about occupying ticket offices due to be closed with 750 job cuts.

It is not clear how the Doddle partnership will affect talks between Amazon and London Underground. Fran Waite, a spokesman for Amazon in the UK, did not comment.

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