City Link, one of the UK's biggest couriers, has gone into administration.
Sky News has reported the firm, which employs over 2,700 people, appointed administrators on Christmas Eve, naming Hunter Kelly, Charles King and Tom Lukic from accountancy firm EY as administrators.
The company, which operates an estimated fleet of 1,700 and is listed in the Fleet200, has stopped accepting new parcels, and customers with parcels in the system will be given the opportunity to retrieve them.
A statement on the firm's website reads: "The business has ceased to accept new parcels from customers and its depots will remain open for a short period of time to enable customers or intended recipients to collect parcels.
"Those customers who placed parcels with City Link on Christmas Eve for delivery are urged to go to the depot to retrieve their parcels as soon as possible.
"Any intended recipients who have been notified of a failed delivery are also urged to go to the depot to collect their parcel as soon as possible. The depots will reopen following the Christmas holiday break on Monday 29 December 2014 to enable parties to collect parcels.
"City Link will no longer be able to deliver any further parcels and customers are urged to make alternative arrangements for future deliveries."
City Link was bought by investment firm Better Capital for £1 last year from previous owners Rentokil Initial.
Many of its drivers were owner drivers, sub-letting a liveried van from Lex Autolease via the company, and working on behalf of City Link. It is as yet unclear what position drivers under this agreement are in.
A small number of staff will be retained to help wind down the business and return parcels, while a significant number face redundancies, as the company has failed to find a buyer.
alan ridgley - 30/12/2014 10:31
owner driver franchises should be outlawed. i have never me a succesful 3rd party owner driver yet!