Oxford News
Delivery boss slams Evri after pay dispute and redundancies
Daniel Sheehy, the owner of Old Windsor Logistics, has spoken out about why he terminated his business’ relationship with the parcel giant last month.
In April, Old Windsor announced it would no longer deliver parcels in Abingdon or Oxford with its 25 on-site drivers all being let go.
The firm, which has its Oxford base at the Horspath Trading Estate in Cowley, had delivered parcels for Evri for seven years.
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In the immediate aftermath, Evri worked to ensure there was no disruption to its parcel service and has since offered jobs to the drivers fired by Old Windsor.
Now, Mr Sheehy has reiterated his criticism and his belief that it wasn’t possible for the relationship to continue.
He said: “It’s not possible for third parties to be profitable and that’s why I’ve given up my business of 11 years.”
One of the most important reasons for this, he said, was that profitability at the firm was undermined by Evri raising the share of ‘postable’ and ‘small’ delivery bands from virtually nothing to two thirds of total volume.
This was combined with a reduction of standard parcel volume from 42 per cent to 15 per cent between November 2019 and March 2026.
‘Postable’ or ‘small’ pay bands earn £0.73 and £0.83 per parcel respectively, significantly less than the standard parcel pay bracket, which is around £1.20 per parcel and was itself reduced according to Mr Sheehy.
Although the smaller bands should, in theory, be easier to fit into a delivery vehicle and be quicker to deliver, he added that the parcels were being mislabelled undermining the system.
As such, Mr Sheehy says this meant a collapse in both the profitability of his business and of the ability of his drivers to earn a fair living wage.
In addition, more than £50,000 in fines and over £11,000 in insurance charges had also hurt the business.
In response a spokesperson for Evri said it routinely reviews arrangements with partners and is committed to working with them and supporting them in their service.
The spokesperson added: “We routinely review our delivery model and third party relationships to offer continued service improvements and the best delivery choices for our customers.”
However, Mr Sheehy believes that if the trend continues others may also be forced to end their relationship with Evri.
He said: “I think everyone knows what’s going on but they’ve all been indoctrinated and been doing it for so long.”
“People are at wits’ end,” he added, referring to other contractors, “and people have said to me, fair play, there’ll be others that will do it”.
He added that he thought he was being used as a test case to lower prices.
“We survived these lower rates because I made it work and I was running a very professional shop,” he said.
Mr Sheehy continued: “And so they continued lowering it for other people and then they’ve tried it again this year.
“And that’s where I’ve said enough is enough.
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“I know what they’re going to do. They’re going to try it with me being the most professional and proper setup and then they’re going to go to others.”
A spokesperson for Evri said: “Independent data has recognised us as having the highest on-time delivery rate of all carriers and our dedicated community couriers are at the heart of our business.
“As we continue to grow, we continue to welcome new community couriers who our customers tell us provide a high standard of service.
“Keen applicants can express their interest on our website.”
The annual Varsity March, which covers 82 miles (132km) from Oxford to Cambridge, raises funds for The Gatehouse, an Oxford-based charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, as well as Jimmy’s in Cambridge.
This year’s walk began at the University Church in Oxford. Four walkers took part, including event organiser Stephanie and Dylan – a stuffed sheep mascot.
Stephanie, a member of the Cambridge University Rambling Club, was the only participant to complete the full distance, reaching St Mary’s Church in Cambridge after 36 hours of walking.
She said: “We all love walking and a challenge, which really sums up the Varsity March. Walking over 130 kilometres is a stretch even for experienced walkers.
“The added bonus is raising funds for two very important local charities which are doing a great job supporting homeless people in Oxford and Cambridge.”
The three other walkers also covered more than 100 miles combined. However, the final 30 miles fell to Stephanie alone. This marks her 20th Varsity March finish, though Dylan the sheep, who has completed 22, still holds the record.
The walkers’ determination has raised vital funds for The Gatehouse. The charity operates a drop-in community centre in central Oxford offering free services to homeless and vulnerably housed adults.
David Kay, fundraising manager at The Gatehouse, said: “Every year I’m impressed by the efforts of these individuals, and I’m still amazed that anybody manages to walk the whole distance.
“At the Gatehouse we’re extremely grateful for the funds that they raise to help cover the costs of the services we provide free of charge to our homeless guests. Costs have risen massively over recent years as we’ve increased both staff capacity and our range of services to meet growing demand.
“This year we need to raise over half a million pounds, a large proportion of which comes from individuals and organisations in the local community donating money and raising funds for us.”
The Gatehouse’s services include a café, a clothes store, shower provision, and bespoke individual casework and counselling support.
Supporters are encouraged to donate in recognition of the walkers’ efforts.
Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/page/varsitymarch2026-gatehouse.
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
This Oxford Mail archive gallery of pictures show shots mostly taken by staff photographer Jon Lewis in the summer of 2006.
From the city to the towns and villages of the county, this collection shows a range of summer fun from two decades ago.
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End-of-term school events feature in this collection, with school plays and sports days both featured.
Pictures of friendly World Cup rivalry between opposing team’s fans show not much has changed in some respects over the past 20 years.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to be transported back to June 2006.
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