Pedal and Post, the Oxford-based eco-friendly courier firm that pioneered bicycle deliveries in urban areas, has officially entered liquidation following nearly 14 years of operation.

Joint liquidators Brett Lee Barton and Margaret Carter from Walsall firm BK Plus were appointed by members and creditors after the struggling company shut down in January.

The collapse has resulted in 60 people losing their jobs, comprising both employed staff and self-employed workers across the company’s Oxford and London operations.

Based at the Osney Mead industrial estate, the business had built its reputation on emission-free parcel deliveries using cargo bikes, later expanding its services to the capital.

The sudden closure left Evri customers in Oxford facing significant delays, with the delivery giant acknowledging that its clean air zone partner had ceased trading without warning.

Oxford resident Carol Leonard experienced the disruption firsthand when three parcels she ordered on 29 and 31 January vanished for more than a week.

During this period, she received contradictory information, being told her items were out for delivery whilst simultaneously being informed no record of them existed.

The retailer she had purchased from ultimately issued a refund, though Evri later apologised and dispatched the items to Ms Leonard on 10 February.

Christopher Benton, the company’s chief executive and founder, attributed the failure to losing a significant client earlier this year, though he declined to identify them.

“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,” he stated.

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Mr Benton expressed gratitude to those who had backed the venture throughout its existence.

“We want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported Pedal and Post over the years,” he said. “Our clients, partners, riders, staff, and the wider community who believed in what we were trying to achieve. Your support meant everything.”

Mr Benton reflected on the company’s environmental legacy, stating: “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.”

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He added: “Over 14 years, we’ve helped remove countless vans from urban roads, reduced emissions, and shown that a people-powered delivery model can deliver excellent service while putting cities first.”

An Evri spokesman said: “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.”