Our Story
I'm Daryl Thornton, Director of City Couriers Group Ltd, and my journey in logistics started many years ago working alongside my dad.
What began with a van, long days, and a willingness to say yes to every job quickly grew into a nationwide next-day courier network, delivering across England, Scotland and Wales.
Using planned routes and reliable scheduling, we built a service that thousands of customers depended on — proving that consistency, hard work and reliability always win.
Over the years, that experience expanded into supporting logistics companies behind the scenes, helping develop depots, manage operations and deliver at scale.
Experience That Built the Business
From working on nationwide delivery networks to helping establish and operate large-scale logistics depots, we've worked alongside major organisations including Gist, Jet2, LNER, Costa Coffee, Greggs and Brakes Foodservice.
These experiences built a deep understanding of time-critical logistics, large-scale operations and what it truly takes to deliver reliably — day in, day out.
Where It Became Something Bigger
In 2017, I launched Leeds City Couriers — a local same-day delivery service focused on businesses that needed fast, dependable and professional service.
We worked with solicitors, retailers, florists and independent businesses where timing mattered and delays simply weren't an option.
As demand grew, we built a small but effective local network, working with different drivers and vehicle types to ensure the right delivery was handled the right way.
That experience proved something important — independent couriers don't need to compete, they can work together to deliver better service and stronger results.
When Delivery Really Mattered
During my time working with Cressco, delivering food and drink to farm shops across the UK, we supported independent businesses and rural communities.
Then lockdown hit.
The roads were empty, but the work never stopped. Farm shops became lifelines, and reliable delivery became more important than ever.
That period reinforced a simple belief:
courier work isn't just about parcels — it's about people.
Specialist Logistics Experience
We were later involved in secure pharmaceutical logistics, supporting controlled deliveries to hospitals across Scotland.
This work required precision, planning and absolute reliability — with no margin for error.
It reinforced the importance of professionalism, consistency and trust in every delivery.
A New Chapter in the North East
After years on the road, life took a new direction.
I moved to the North East and began building strong relationships with local businesses, working across everything from urgent same-day deliveries to structured regional work.
This is where City Couriers truly took shape — built around local businesses, real relationships and reliable service.
Delivering at a National Standard
Working within AIT Home Delivery introduced a premium level of service — delivering high-value goods on behalf of major retail brands.
It wasn't just about delivery — it was about customer experience, professionalism and representing national companies in people's homes.
That same standard is now built into everything we do.
Our Mission
To make courier services more accessible, more affordable and more local — while helping businesses and independent couriers grow together.
Meet The Director
Daryl Thornton
Director – City Couriers Group Ltd
Daryl Thornton leads City Couriers with hands-on experience across courier services, depot operations and nationwide logistics.
Built from real industry experience, City Couriers is focused on delivering reliable service while supporting local businesses and independent couriers.