Business description

This market leading chauffeur drive service was established by the current owner more than twenty five years ago. It is now recognised as the vintageand classic vehicle wedding chauffeur drive service of choice in London and South East England.

The company is renowned for providing premium service and pricing is firmly within the upper quartile. No bad debt is ever suffered as all clients pay a deposit at time of their booking, with the balance being paid three or four weeks prior to the event.

All business is for wedding hire and, in consequence, most sales are generated from April to October. Circa 500 bookings per year are curently enjoyed.

The wish to dispose of the company due to retirement creates a rare opportunity for a new, knowledgeable owner to take this solid business on to the next level. There are considerable opportunities for expanding the company's revenues and profits in new market areas.


Equipment

An outstanding fleet of thirty six vehicles are utilised, all of which are owned by the company. A number are historically important, dating from the 1930s, and all have been maintained in superb condition. Most are Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Each bridal car has at least one matching vehicle for the bridesmaids and bride’s parents. Some weddings require two extra vehicles and this is readily accommodated. Most matching cars are Daimler Limousines.

A bespoke computer system is utilised for the preparation of quotations and subsequent bookings.


Customer Service

The highest levels of personal service sit at the heart of the business’s client engagement strategy.

All clients are invited to visit the company’s garage to enable them to personally choose the vehicle for their ‘big’ day. This enables them to get a real feel for the dimensions and quality of the cars.

An album of outstanding client testimonials is available to view.


Key Strengths

In recognising that the wedding day is simply the most important day in the lives of the couple concerned, no detail is ignored to ensure that the transport arrangements are never left to chance. Specific details are as follows:

• Cars are washed, vacuumed and immaculately prepared on the morning of the wedding.
• Detailed route maps are prepared in advance with ceremony details, addresses of pick ups and reception address. Consideration is made with regard to access and turning circles since some of the vehicles are very large.
• Cars arrive at the relevant addresses at least fifteen minutes prior to the previously agreed departure time.
• Cars are only ever booked for one event per day.
• The complete fleet is never booked out, since reserve vehicles are available should the need arise.
• Standby drivers are always available in case of illness or other non-availability.

The range of vehicles is simply outstanding and is, unusually, an appreciating asset. They are regularly serviced and kept in the best possible condition. Considerable care has always been exercised in the selection of additional vehicles. The first consideration is always that the car has the potential to appreciate in value. Only the very best, well maintained, low mileage vehicles have been acquired.

Sound relationships exist with a number of the leading hotel reception venues, and the business is regularly featured in their own wedding catalogues.

Property information

Location:

All bookings and administration are made from the current owner’s home office thereby keeping overheads to a minimum.

A superb, newly built, environment controlled, security protected garage of circa 5,500 square feet is used for the storage and preparation of vehicles. The building is leasehold at an annual rent of £25,000 per annum. The lease expires at the end of 2008 and is readily renewable.

Other information

Expansion potential:

A new owner with renewed vigour and a more aggressive approach to marketing will be able to drive significant new sales. This could either be within the weddings market or potentially in corporate chauffeur services. The company could use its outstanding reputation to drive corporate sales growth with the acquisition of a number of newer vehicles. This would have the added benefit of being non-seasonal in nature.

Competition / Market:

Much new business is generated through referrals and direct ‘word of mouth’ recommendation. The company has however always recognised the importance of advertising and marketing in driving business success. The company operates a professionally designed, maintained and hosted website, which serves as a major ‘shop window’ for the business. In addition advertisements are placed in Yellow Pages™ and on Yell.com™. Advertisements are regularly placed in bridal and wedding magazines. The company has an exhibition stand which is used at bridal fairs at local venues. This is also successful in sourcing new bookings.

Support & training:

A full period of training, handover and familiarisation will be provided to ensure a smooth transition to new ownership.

Reasons for selling:

This is a genuine retirement sale. The current owners, now in their 70s, are looking to dispose of their interest in the business to enable them to retire.