Major UK Sustainable Courier Firm Ceases Trading After 14 Years
In a significant blow to the green logistics sector, a prominent UK eco-courier company has permanently shut down, resulting in the loss of 60 jobs. Pedal & Post, an Oxford and London-based firm specialising in cargo bike deliveries, has been placed into voluntary liquidation, marking the end of its 14-year operational journey.
Contract Loss and Financial Strain Force Closure
The company's collapse follows the termination of a crucial contract with micromobility provider Voi, which served notice to end its partnership at the close of this month. This client accounted for approximately 25 per cent of Pedal & Post's revenue, representing a substantial financial blow that the business could not withstand. Despite delivering over 1,000 parcels daily and serving notable clients such as Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, the firm found itself unable to secure alternative funding or sustain operations.
Management confirmed that shareholders are unlikely to recover their investments, with the liquidation process expected to return nothing to investors. In an official statement, the company expressed profound regret, noting that "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."
Legacy of Sustainable Urban Delivery
Pedal & Post was established with the explicit mission of reducing van movements in urban centres, successfully transporting thousands of parcels via eco-friendly cargo bikes throughout its existence. The company's leadership emphasised pride in their pioneering role, stating that "the landscape today looks very different to when we started – with major carriers now investing in low-carbon, bike-based urban delivery models."
Richard Lofthouse, a major shareholder who supported the business from its inception, expressed shock at the announcement. "I anticipate that many shareholders will wonder why the company has thrown in the towel after surviving for the past 14 years, including through Covid," he remarked, adding that "sadness and shock will be followed by questions."
Community Reaction and Future Prospects
The Oxford-based campaign group Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel paid tribute to the firm's decade-long presence, describing Pedal & Post as "a bright feature of the Oxford streetscape." They expressed hope that other cycle-based logistics companies would emerge to fill the gap left by the company's departure.
While this specific business chapter has concluded, industry observers note that the demand for sustainable urban delivery solutions continues to grow. The closure highlights the challenges faced by niche eco-logistics operators in a competitive market, even as larger carriers increasingly adopt low-carbon delivery models.
