An independent courier company
Rapid Despatch Logistics Ltd is an independent courier and logistics company, incorporated in May 2001, with four branches in Hampshire and Berkshire, covering Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Twelve people in operations, two in accounts and around fifty drivers move same-day, next-day and international consignments from Basingstoke, Farnborough, Reading and Southampton.
Same-day, next-day and international courier services, specialist transport, pallets and freight, storage and fulfilment. One accountable company, not a franchise and not a booking agent for somebody else's network.
What we're built around
The business runs on a simple idea: transport works better when you can reach someone who understands the job and takes responsibility for it. Technology handles the tracking, routing and proof of delivery. It doesn't ask the right question, choose between two services or ring you back when the road ahead has closed.
We work with businesses of every size, from occasional customers with one urgent consignment to organisations whose weekly operation depends on our vehicles, our storage and our people.
The work is carried by self-employed drivers who work only for Rapid Despatch, and the job runs end to end under one docket with one controller accountable for it. That is worth saying plainly, because "our drivers" means something different at a company that hires whoever is available on the day.
Our history
We started trading in 2001, from Southampton, and built a branch-based courier operation across southern England.
Reading and Farnborough followed in 2007, and Basingstoke opened in 2015. Together the four branches in Hampshire and Berkshire give customers across Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey a local operational base, while we collect and deliver throughout mainland Great Britain. We're still independent, and that shapes what we recommend.
The service range grew well beyond urgent vans. Next-day gave planned consignments a cheaper route. International courier and freight connected UK collections to worldwide destinations. Storage and fulfilment at Reading and Southampton brought stock, e-commerce, point-of-sale campaigns, returns and distribution into the same business.
What "not just a van" means
The vehicle is one part of a delivery that works. Before it moves, someone has to understand the addresses, the goods, the deadline, the vehicle, the access and the handover. While it's running, someone should know whether the plan is still holding. At the far end, the recipient and the evidence have to match what you asked for.
We put those pieces together. Same-day work goes on a dedicated vehicle, carried directly. Next-day and international work gets a partner route chosen and monitored by us. Fulfilment ties stock, preparation and despatch into one process.
It also means you can just ask. You don't need to know whether a long item needs a Sprinter, whether a pallet needs a tail lift, or whether an urgent international item should go express air, dedicated road or on-board. Give us accurate information and tell us what outcome you need. Turning that into a plan is our job, not yours. Service decisions get made around your requirement instead of around one national product we're obliged to sell.
Our four branches
Every branch is part of Rapid Despatch, not a separate brand with a shared logo. Ring the local number or the central number and you reach the same accountable company.
Branch
Basingstoke
8 Hassocks Wood Industrial Estate, Stroudley Road, Basingstoke, RG24 8UQ
01256 638148Opened 2015. Near the A339 and M3.
Basingstoke servicesBranch
Farnborough
Ferneberga House, Alexandra Road, Farnborough, GU14 6DQ
01252 640064Opened 2007. On the A331 and M3, covering the Blackwater Valley and the Surrey border.
Farnborough servicesBranch
Reading
Unit 7, Robert Cort Industrial Estate, Britten Road, Reading, RG2 0AU
0118 987 5979Opened 2007. Near the A33 and M4, with around 7,000 sq ft of storage.
Reading servicesBranch
Southampton
Unit 2, 424 Portswood Road, Southampton, SO17 3SD
023 8055 3322Our first branch, opened 2001, and our registered office. Storage and fulfilment on site.
Southampton services
What we do
Dedicated vehicles carrying urgent goods directly, anywhere in the UK. Fastest response around our four branches, with nationwide collection available.
Same-day courier
Standard and timed next-day for planned, well-packed consignments, including 10.30am, noon and weekend delivery where the route supports it.
Next-day courier
Documents, parcels, pallets and freight by express air, road and sea, plus imports and on-board courier.
International courier
On-board courier, confidential documents, fragile and high-value goods, exhibitions, medical equipment and regulated contents, within our confirmed capability.
Specialist services
Pallets and awkward loads by dedicated vehicle, same-day or booked ahead, in the UK and into Europe.
Pallet and freight
Stock, pick and pack, e-commerce despatch, point-of-sale campaigns and returns, at Reading and Southampton.
Storage and fulfilment
When something goes wrong
Our operational staff own the customer relationship, and issues can be escalated inside the business, up to management where that's warranted.
Accurate goods, address and access information is what makes the rest possible. Good delivery is a two-sided process.
We work with organisations that need urgency, flexibility, or a reliable extension of their own operation: manufacturing and engineering, technology, professional services, retail, healthcare, events, field service, e-commerce and businesses distributing marketing material or parts. You won't find invented client names or a claim that we serve "every industry" on this site.
What customers say
“Have been using these guys for 5+ years to transport time critical parts to and from suppliers.”
“Regularly use Rapid Despatch to transport 'time critical parts', to and from site.....reasonable rates and reliable service. They get the job done!”
“We have been using Rapid Despatch for the past few months and they have been absolutely fantastic! Super fast responses and communication from a brilliant team, not to mention that every single delivery has been on time or ahead of time. They often jump through hoops to make things work, and can make changes to deliveries at the drop of a hat, even last minute! We will definitely be continuing to work with them into the future and would recommend them to anyone.”
Company information
- Trading and legal name
- Rapid Despatch Logistics Ltd
- Established
- May 2001 (incorporated 14 May 2001)
- Company number
- 04215880
- Registered office
- Unit 2, 424 Portswood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 3SD
- ICO registration
- ZB456327
- VAT number
- GB 777 5205 04
- Central telephone
- 0345 8333 833
- Sales email
- hello@
rapiddespatch.co.uk
We operate written Quality, Modern Slavery and Environmental policies, available on request. We hold no trade-body accreditations and we don't display badges we haven't earned.
About Rapid Despatch FAQs
May 2001. Rapid Despatch Logistics Ltd was incorporated on 14 May 2001 and has traded continuously since.
Basingstoke, Farnborough, Reading and Southampton. Four branches in Hampshire and Berkshire, covering Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.
Yes. We're an independent courier and logistics company, not a franchise or a booking agent for someone else's network.
Yes. We collect anywhere in the UK, normally within 90 minutes, with our fastest local response in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. The Highlands and Islands, other islands and parts of Wales are quoted separately.
Yes. Express air, road, sea, imports and urgent on-board courier, depending on the goods and the route.
The urgent same-day phone line runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Email and forms are handled during staffed periods.
Yes, at Reading and Southampton, for suitable stock and projects.
Twelve in operations, two in accounts, and around fifty drivers. The drivers are self-employed and work only for Rapid Despatch.
Send collection and delivery postcodes, contents, dimensions, weight and deadline through the contact form, or ring us. For anything urgent, ring.
Talk to us
Whether you need a vehicle this afternoon, a planned delivery tomorrow or a fulfilment partner for the next three years, start with the requirement and talk to the team.