Evri is welcoming 7,000 additional community couriers and 3,000 colleagues into the business for the Christmas peak, as the parcel delivery company prepares for its busiest period of the year. The recruitment drive follows £32.2 million of investment in infrastructure, technology, automation and operational capacity so far this year, which has lifted Evri's network capacity to 4.9 million parcels a day — around half a million more than last year.

Couriers are self-employed and deliver a regular local round, working days agreed in advance. No experience is needed — applicants need a car or van and a smartphone — and they apply through Evri's website or the courier app. Under a two-year agreement with the GMB union, eligible couriers have a guaranteed minimum equivalent hourly rate of £15 nationally and £15.80 in London, with extra paid holiday for couriers on Evri's Plus model.

Preparing for record festive volumes

Evri describes itself as the UK's biggest dedicated parcel delivery company, operating seven national sorting hubs, 80 depots and more than 500 delivery units. Last year volumes entering its network rose by almost 40 per cent over the peak period, and the company says preparing for Christmas is work that starts months in advance rather than in the weeks before it.

Martijn de Lange, Evri's chief executive, said peak is the most important and demanding period of the year for many of its customers. The company also warns prospective couriers plainly that the roles are self-employed, so couriers are responsible for their own tax and National Insurance and for their working arrangements and expenses.