A North West-based delivery firm that already employs 50,000 UK drivers has said it will double that number over the coming two years.
Beelivery has begun another enormous recruitment drive, with the hired drivers able to pick and choose when they work, and accept or reject trips as they wish.
Launched in 2015, it's not the first massive jobs announcement by the firm in recent months. In September last year, the firm announced it was to hire 20,000 staff - taking its total headcount to 40,000 by Christmas. That figure is now 50,000 - and is set to grow to 100,000 by 2023.
The Cheshire firm connects independent drivers with customers, promises quick delivery of essential or emergency groceries within 15-60 minutes - and said demand has “surged”.
The business said particular areas of interest for new recruits include Dorchester, London, Cambridge, Harrogate, Salisbury, Shrewsbury, Darlington, Inverness and Hereford.
Lee Parkinson, co-founder and CEO of Congleton-based Beelivery, said: “We want to provide UK workers with the opportunity to bolster their earnings- completely on their own terms.
“We recently secured a £4.5m investment which demonstrates growing demand within the convenience market. We are investing this money to accelerate the business and further drive demand, which in turn means higher earnings for new and existing drivers.
“The recruitment drive along with the funding aims to assert Beelivery as the leader in the on-demand sector.”
Earlier this year, Beelivery launched a £2m TV and digital campaign to raise awareness of the service.
The firm said that in addition to the “rapid growth” of online in the pandemic, large-scale events such as the recent Euro 2020 tournament has increased the demand for grocery shopping, leading to a 25% growth.
The firm said with furlough soon to end and uncertainty for zero-hour contract workers, it hopes to capitalise upon people wanting a change in career.
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Paul Gott, chief operating officer, added: “Our drivers earn the best pay in the sector, with an average of £10 per delivery. Top drivers can earn over £2,000 per month for part time work, all on a flexible basis to suit their individual availability.
“On average, it takes just 45 minutes to complete an order as most orders are within three miles of our driver’s home location.”
With the 50,000 new staff, Beelivery hopes to gain 450,000 new customers.
