Since the start of the outbreak, the delivery firm has signed up 11,500 new restaurants and has formed and extended partnerships with leading brands.

Between March 23 and July 4, bars, pubs, and restaurants were ordered to close their doors as the Government imposed an unprecedented series of lockdown measures.

Demand for deliveries surged, and despite an easing of restrictions nationally, many people are still working from home and not going out as much as usual.

Deliveroo recruited around 15,000 new riders since the start of the outbreak but they hope to double that number by the end of the year, the Mirror reports.

Chief executive Will Shu said: ‘Riders are heroes and we are so proud of the vital role that they are carrying out in their local communities during the pandemic.

‘It is fantastic that we can now recruit even more riders and will create a record 15,000 new opportunities by the end of the year.

‘With a record number of riders and restaurant partners on the platform, we can now reach even more amazing customers across the UK, delivering the food that people need and want.’

Deliveroo riders are self-employed, giving them flexibility over which shifts they chose, but the firm has faced criticism in recent years for not offering guaranteed hours or sick pay.

In mid-March the company launched a Rider Support Fund to help self-isolating workers if they can show them proof they have caught the virus.

This year Deliveroo has partnered with M&S, Waitrose and Aldi to help deliver groceries and other essential items, while partnerships with Co-Op and Morrisons have been extended.