Evri Issues Apology Following Collapse of Delivery Partner Pedal and Post
Delivery giant Evri has issued a formal apology to customers after one of its partner courier firms, Pedal and Post, collapsed into liquidation. The Oxford-based cargo bike courier company ceased trading abruptly in January, resulting in significant parcel delays and leaving 60 employees without jobs.
Customer's Missing Parcels Revealed Early Warning Signs
Carol Leonard, a resident of Grandpont in Oxford, became one of the first customers to experience the consequences of Pedal and Post's financial troubles. She reported that three of her deliveries containing special cat food and litter went missing for over a week in late January.
The frustrated shopper detailed how the parcels ordered on January 29 and January 31 failed to reach her home despite being marked as "out for delivery." According to reports from the Oxford Mail, the packages remained stuck at a depot while the courier firm provided conflicting information about their whereabouts.
Carol described the situation as chaotic, explaining that Pedal and Post told her the parcels were both en route and untraceable simultaneously. The pet shop that had shipped the items using Evri's services eventually issued a full refund for the undelivered goods.
Evri's Response and Systemic Issues
The angry customer also criticised Evri's customer service system, complaining that the online AI tool left her unable to find a contact number to register her complaint. After persistent efforts, Evri finally apologised to Carol and delivered the goods on February 10.
An Evri spokesperson told Oxford Mail: "We have spoken to Carol to apologise for her experience and are pleased to confirm her parcel has been delivered." The delivery giant acknowledged that Pedal and Post's sudden failure caused "temporary disruption" for customers in the Oxford area.
In a broader statement about the collapse, Evri added: "We were disappointed to learn that our e-cargo bike delivery partner in Oxford ceased trading without notice, which caused some temporary disruption for a small number of customers in the local area. We have quickly re-organised deliveries in the area, and our local team are working hard to resume normal service."
The Demise of an Eco-Friendly Courier
Pedal and Post, which had expanded its environmentally focused cargo bike operations from Oxford to London, officially entered liquidation after closing down in January. The company's chief executive and founder, Christopher Benton, attributed the collapse to the loss of an unnamed "major client" earlier this year.
Benton stated: "Despite exploring every possible avenue to continue - and truly exhausting all options - we have reached the point where we can no longer sustain the business. We want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Pedal and Post over the years."
The founder highlighted the company's mission, saying: "Since our founding, Pedal and Post has worked tirelessly to show that cargo bike deliveries are not just possible, but practical, sustainable and better for cities."
Broader Impact and Customer Fallout
Other customers in the Oxford region reportedly experienced similar delivery disruptions around the time of Pedal and Post's collapse. The situation has raised questions about the resilience of delivery networks and the transparency of customer service systems when partner companies fail.
The collapse represents a significant setback for sustainable delivery initiatives in urban areas, particularly as businesses and consumers increasingly prioritize environmentally friendly shipping options. The 60 job losses further compound the economic impact of the company's failure.
As Evri works to reorganize deliveries in the affected area, customers remain vigilant about potential disruptions in service. The incident serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of modern delivery networks and the cascading effects when one component fails unexpectedly.
