Evri statement as UK delivery firm contractor shuts with drivers fired

Evri has made clear that it expects all its parcels in the Oxford area to be delivered on time today (Wednesday, April 15) after a third-party business announced it was shutting operations.

Old Windsor Logistics, which has its Oxford base at the Horspath Trading Estate in Cowley, has said it will no longer deliver parcels for Evri after seven years working with the business.

Daniel Sheehy, who owns the business, said this was because his drivers were no longer earning enough money to maintain a living.

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As such his 26 drivers – who deliver around Oxford and Abingdon in particular – were told on Wednesday morning that they no longer have jobs with the company.

This news came after Mr Sheehy said that their rate per package delivery from Evri had been cut since 2019 from £1.40 to £0.75.

Daniel Sheehy, owner of Old Windsor Logistics (Image: Daniel Sheehy)

“We cannot do it any longer,” the 35-year-old said.

He added: “Over the last two years they have systematically reduced and reduced the rate, and over the last three months they have dropped it even lower.

“I have said to them we need an injection to secure the business so I can pay the VAT and pay the drivers’ wages.

“We need a better rate so we can survive as a business.”

Old Windsor Logistics has a base at the Horspath Industrial Estate (Image: Google Maps)

A spokesperson for Evri said they routinely review arrangements with their partners and are 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 claimed there had not been proper dialogue with the major Leeds-based delivery company since he first raised the issue last October.

An Evri employee delivering a parcel (Image: NQ)

He said: “It’s ridiculous. We do not want to ruin service for anyone. It’s just we are at a point where we cannot physically pay the drivers and carry on.”

The owner of Old Windsor Logistics added that the rate gets even lower when fines for their service are taken into account.

Over the Christmas period these apparently totalled £7,600 and he said the system for allocating them was unfair, particularly for fines relating to picture proof for delivery.

Meanwhile, Evri has reportedly sent contractors to the Oxford warehouse to ensure immediate deliveries are carried out today.

A parcel is dropped off at a doorstep (Image: NQ)

A spokesperson for the company said: “Every parcel matters to us, and we have drivers on every round in the local area to ensure parcels will continue to be delivered as usual.”

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A statement added: “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.”