City Link is to offer a two-hour window for B2C deliveries in a bid to increase its first time delivery rate and boost service levels.

The parcel carrier, which was bought by turnaround investment firm Better Capital last year, will provide consumers with an estimated two-hour slot for delivery, and the option of rearranging it if they're elsewhere.

The service, called On Our Way, will be rolled out from mid-February and is due to complete by the summer.

City Link will send consumers an email or text message to notify them of the delivery slot. There will also be the option for consumers to arrange for their parcels to be delivered another day, left with a neighbour or in a safe place. They will also be able to collect direct from a City Link depot, or even return the parcel to the sender.

MD Dave Smith said: “This innovation brings us right up to speed with the best consumer offerings out there and we’re already working on ways to further improve the service and make it truly transformational both for business customers and for consumers.”

City Link ordered 86 double-deck trailers as part of its fleet replacement programme last month.