A distribution business with a depot in Bradford has won the biggest-ever home delivery deal in the UK.

Hermes, based in Morley, has clinched an eight-year contract with Next to handle delivery of orders from the Next Directory catalogue, which has 2.2 million customers across the UK.

Hermes secured the contract after a review of the UK home delivery market. It has worked with Next since 1988.

Carole Woodhead, Hermes UK chief executive, said: “By extending this contract until 2018, Next have shown the high level of faith they have in Hermes and our ability to continue to provide them with a market-leading service.

“We will be working together with Next to launch a new suite of services over the next 12 months that will ensure that Next remains the standard bearer in the UK home delivery market.”

Hermes is the former Parcelnet delivery arm of Bradford-based catalogue firm Grattan and moved from its former base in Ingleby Road in Lidget Green to a new HQ last summer. Both firms are part of the German-based Otto retail group.