Urban Microhub Alliance to provide last-mile logistics infrastructure

Hubs bring together electric two wheeler rental, charging, maintenance and parcel storage in underused real estate, including urban car parks and railway arches

An alliance of parking operators, landowners, food delivery companies and e-mobility providers are working together to develop a network of urban logistics hubs in London.

The hubs are located in car parks, railway arches or other under-used real estate, breathing new life into often hidden urban spaces. Each hub offers subscription-based access to delivery bikes, charging facilities and secure parcel storage, providing ready-to-use infrastructure for sustainable logistics.

The Urban Microhub Alliance unites landlords, car park operators, delivery platforms and a technology company to repurpose underused spaces into urban logistics microhubs.

While most cities tackle last-mile deliveries through piecemeal projects, the Urban Microhub Alliance (UMA) is the first initiative to build a co-ordinated network of shared mobility between landlords and logistics partners.

Founder members of the UMA include car park operators such as APCOA, NCP, Q-Park and Saba, as well as railway arches operator The Arch Company.

The alliance’s exclusive network operator is PORT, which will equip UMA microhubs with electric two-wheelers, proprietary charging infrastructure and dedicated parcel storage, and then operate the hubs on a daily basis. PORT provides on-site mechanics to ensure safety and reliability.

Kamil Suda, founder and chief executive of PORT, said: “Deliveries are at the centre of urban life. The way in which we shop, eat and buy goods has transformed over the last decade. But urban logistics have not kept pace. It’s time to re-think the way we move goods around city centres.”

“By bringing together logistics, sustainable vehicles and couriers in smart, hi-tech micro-hubs, we can work towards a less congested London with cleaner air and safer roads. While doing so, we can repurpose underused, hidden spaces in the centre of town.

“The UMA is a bold new alliance that aims to set the standard for modern logistics infrastructure around the world.”

Each hub brings together:

• Hub-based electric vehicle rental: Electric two-wheelers – e-bikes and e-mopeds – on an all-in-one subscription, with modular trailers that can be added as required.
• Micro distribution hubs: Dedicated storage spaces for parcel logistics companies to consolidate deliveries in a local area, enabling a single vehicle to drop-off large volumes of parcels that can then be efficiently distributed by local couriers.
• Couriers: Freelance couriers with subscriptions to use PORT vehicles.

The network of 22 microhubs already put in place by UMA members covers 60% of inner London within a two-mile radius, and 92% of the congestion charging zone within a one-mile radius.

The alliance says that for couriers the microhubs provide access to reliable, legally certified bikes at a safe storage location in the city centre, on a subscription model with maintenance support on hand. 

For logistics firms, UMA microhub network offers readily available urban logistics infrastructure. Local hubs improve efficiency and reduce goods traffic on the roads, contributing to better air quality and to the Mayor of London’s target of cutting the number of vans on London’s streets.

London is the most congested city in Europe, with an average traffic speed of just 13mph, and traffic jams costing the local economy more than £5 billion annually, says the UMA. Vans take up 16% of traffic in London but are typically only 38% full, with many journeys suitable for replacement by e-bikes. The rapid growth of the delivery market has led to a surfeit in unsafe, illegal e-bikes on the streets which, according to London Fire Brigade, pose a major fire hazard.

The UMA has been created to fulfil meet a growing demand for local deliveries. The market for deliveries in the UK is expanding rapidly, with online sales constituting 26% of all retail activity, rising to a third every December, says the UMA. Three in ten Londoners get at least one meal a week delivered.

The hubs already on the network have already been used by more than 18,000 food delivery couriers who undertake tens of thousands of food and parcel deliveries every day. 

Food delivery company Deliveroo is an early partner in the alliance. Tom Wellingham, head of rider content and engagement UK & Ireland at Deliveroo, said: “At Deliveroo, we aim to bring peoples’ neighbourhood to their doors through safe, low emission delivery. The Urban Microhub Alliance brings together all the different partners required for world leading last mile logistics. We’re pleased to be a part of the alliance, and look forward to working together to create the infrastructure for green, efficient urban deliveries.”

Beyond food delivery, UMA’s infrastructure will also support parcel logistics, with more than one million parcels set to be delivered in 2026.

The attraction of the microhub concept for car park operators is that in diversifying the use of a site they provide ancillary income. Last-mile hubs complement the provision of other services such as click & collect lockers and car hire.

John Denton, UK & Ireland commercial director, Q-Park, said: “At Q-Park, we’re committed to unlocking the full potential of urban spaces. By joining the Urban Microhub Alliance, we’re helping to transform city centre real estate into vital infrastructure for cleaner, faster, more efficient last?mile delivery. This partnership aligns perfectly with our strategy to support sustainable mobility while creating real value for communities, couriers and customers.”

Kim Challis, UK regional managing director, APCOA, said: “APCOA is pleased to support PORT as they expand their network of urban micro logistics hubs across London. By making space available within some of our car parks, we are helping enable cleaner last mile delivery while providing couriers with safe and compliant infrastructure. Partnerships like this demonstrate how existing parking assets can be repurposed to support new forms of urban mobility, while continuing to deliver value for cities, businesses and communities.”

While the UMA’s initial focus is on London, the alliance’s vision is to creata a blueprint for logistics infrastructure in urban areas around the world.
www.umalliance.uk