Amazon is reportedly in talks with Transport for London over converting its ticket offices into collection points for packages.

Amazon reportedly eyeing up tube offices as drop-off points.
Amazon are reportedly in talks with Transport for London to turn vacant London Underground offices into drop-off points for packages. (Reuters)

London mayor Boris Johnson announced on Thursday that 24-hour services on the London Underground at weekends will begin in 2015, and all 240 station ticket offices are to be closed with the loss of 750 jobs.

According to the Financial Times, the online retailer is eyeing up the vacant ticket offices as potential parcel drop-off points. Amazon has yet to confirm the claims.

At present, there are 20 Amazon pick-up points in London - 17 lockers and three stores which accept Amazon packages delivered to them under the "CollectPlus" scheme.

Boris Johnson said in a statement: "It is time to take the Tube to the next level and so for the first time in London's history, we will provide a regular 24-hour Night Tube service at weekends. This will not just boost jobs and our vibrant night-time economy, it will further cement London's reputation as the best big city on the planet to in which to live, work, visit and invest."

On Wednesday, supermarket group Asda announced that it is launching the world's first "Click and Collect" service that allows customers to order Asda groceries before noon, and then collect the products after 4pm on the same day from one of six London Underground stations.

The first six tube stations to be included in the trial will be East Finchley, Harrow and Wealdstone, High Barnet, Highgate, Stanmore and Epping.

Asda is competing with rival J Sainsbury's to become the biggest supermarket chain in the UK, so taking a page from Amazon's book by expanding into retail drop-off points could greatly help its business. Asda is aiming to increase the number of Click and Collect locations from 218 to over 1,000 by 2018.

"Customers in the South East tell us that they want the prices and quality provided by Asda value but they can't access it easily. This tie-up with TfL solves that," explained Asda retail director Mark Ibbotson.

"We believe customers will value the convenience of collecting shopping at their home tube station rather than carrying the products bought in premium convenience stores on their commute home."

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