Limo hire business owner fined for operating illegally

February 9, 2012 By Carl Wheeler
VOSA

A limousine hire business owner from Cambridgeshire has been fined after he was caught operating illegally. Sooty Edwards who runs Skooters Limousines was discovered operating his limo hire company without the necessary licences which lead to the business being hit with a fine of thousands of pounds.

Skooters Limousines were caught out by police and VOSA following an undercover operation after the authorities received a number of complaints regarding the limo hire operator. Mr Edwards was found guilty of driving a stretch limo without a private hire driver’s license and also for using a private hire limo without the correct license.

As a result of the investigation which found the business was being operated illegally, 50-year-old Sooty Edwards was fined £2,700 and also ordered to pay costs of £3,483. The company, limo and the chauffeurs will all found to be operating outside of required licensing laws.

The repercussions of not being subject to proper licensing are that passengers travelling in one of the unlicensed limos would not have been able to claim for compensation had they have been involved in an accident, also the limos would not have been subject to required safety and mechanical checks to ensure they are mechanically sound before carrying fare-paying passengers.

VOSA and the police say they hope the case sends a clear message out to other limo operators that cutting corners with licensing will not be tolerated.

Filed Under: All News, Car Hire News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, UK Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Hired Lamborghini wedding car crashed by groom driving to ceremony

February 7, 2012 By Carl Wheeler
lamborghini-wedding-car-crash

A groom in Australia had plenty of explaining to do when he arrived at his own wedding on foot, despite having forked out thousands of dollars to hire a Lamborghini as his wedding car.

The unlucky groom was left red faced after the white sports car, intended for use as his wedding car on his special day, ended up bonnet-first in a fence after the groom slipped on a wet patch while driving to the wedding ceremony causing him to lose control of the Lamborghini.

Little is known about the identity of the groom, only that he is believed to hail from Sydney in Australia and is reported to have paid $15,000 for the insurance as part of the deal to hire the Lamborghini as his wedding car; $15,000 he has subsequently lost as a result of crashing the luxury super car.

The groom and his best man were reportedly travelling in the hired Lamborghini when the sports car left the road. The wedding party were understood to be running late for the wedding, which may explain how the wedding car ended up in a fence.

The groom is believed to have called the rental company to notify them of the incident and also the location of the vehicle before rushing off to the ceremony on foot. Luckily, neither the groom nor the best man were injured as a result of the accident. The pair managed to get to the church on time too and the wedding was able to go ahead.

While the wedding car didn’t make it to the ceremony, it’s thought the damage caused to the Lambo is repairable.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, Wedding News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

American limo rental website EzLimoRentals.com bought out by mystery UK buyer

February 7, 2012 By Dez Rowley
ezlimorentals.com2

A top ranking American limo rental website, EzLimoRentals.com (pronounced Easy Limo Rentals) has been bought out by an anonymous UK based buyer according to a recent online report. It’s understood the new owner of EzLimoRentals.com operates a leading limousine hire business in the UK and is planning to expand the company into America.

To mark the takeover of EzLimoRentals.com the new owners are offering all American limousine rental agents the chance to benefit from a free listing on the high ranking website. Companies that already have a listing on the limousine rental site will be able to keep their ad, while those who would like to experiment to see if a listing on EzLimoRentals.com would help boost their online profile, will have the chance to try out the service free of charge.

The new owners of EzLimoRentals.com see the acquisition of the new website as their first step into the American market, something the British company has been keen to pursue for some time according to recent reports. The mystery Managing Director of the UK based company was quoted as saying, “Targeting the American market is something we’ve been planning for some time, however we had to wait for the right opportunity to come our way.”

The anonymous new owner went on to say, “EzLimorentals.com is the perfect way in for our company as our strength lies in our online marketing – taking ownership of a recognisable site such as EzLimorentals.com will provide us with a substantial leg-up into the US market while at the same time providing us with great potential to develop our brand”.

Now the buy-out of the leading American limo rental website is complete, the new owners say they are planning to get straight to work revamping the site. The mystery owner is understood to have successfully developed a range of online products as part of the limo hire business in the UK with a proven track record in strong online marketing.

The company is now planning to take their winning model over to the US with the same web team poised to re-develop the EzLimoRentals.com website to improve the website’s SEO, and boost its overall ranking with the aim of becoming one of the most influential limo rental providers in the States.

Content By Dez Rowley

Filed Under: All News, Car Hire News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, Uncategorized, Wedding News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NLCA Meeting AGM Agenda Announced

February 2, 2012 By Carl Wheeler
NLCA logo
The time has arrived again for the Annual General Meeting of the National Limousine Association (NLCA), most of the serious players in the industry will be at the event where the future and direction of the trade will be decide or yet another year. After 15 years of life the group goes on from strength to strength with acceptance of the NLCA by customers and government alike. The next year will see major changes to the way people operate limousines and it is vital that our voice is heard to ensure that new legislation is not imposed without the voice of the trade being heard.

Date: 8TH FEBRUARY 2012
Location: THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS PARKWAY, BIRMINGHAM, B40 1QA
Time: STARTS AT 7.30PM
  • PW      Welcome to the 15th AGM of the NLCA
  • PW      Minutes of the previous years AGM
    • Read: Adopted
    • Proposed and seconded
  • PW      Chairman’s report on 2011
  • MP      Treasurers report and accounts
  • MP      Membership secretaries report
  • WEB   Legislation officers report
  • PW      List of positions and nominees
  • PW      Election of officers of the NLCA
== BREAK ==
  • Matters arising from the minutes
  • VAT
  • Insurances
  • Any other business
  • Date, time and place of next meeting
  • Close of meeting
List of potential posts for the AGM of the NLCA 2012 and brief description:
POSITION / NOMINEE
Chairman / Peter Wright
To chair and direct the meeting of the NLCA, to preside over the Annual General Meeting, to arrange the agenda for meetings in advance, and to represent the NLCA professionally as required.
Vice Chairman:                                                                          Jag Mann
To stand in for the Chairman when he or she is not available, to cover where there may be a need for two separate meetings to be held. To cover any or all of the Chairman’s roles as may be required.
Membership:                                                                             Fulvia Pietrantonio
To keep records of the membership of the NLCA, to issue invoices and reminders and ensure the receipt of membership funds as and when they are due. To advise the web master of any changes to membership status and ensure that details held on members are correct.
Treasurer:                                                                                  Fulvia Pietrantonio
To keep a track on membership receipts, account for all income and expenditure in a professional and logical manner, to present the accounts in draft form for the auditors to scrutinise. To pay all bills as and when they arise. To keep the membership and committee informed as to the financial state of the group at each meeting. To ensure that the audited accounts are lodged at companies house (via the auditors / accountants) each year.
Secretary and Minutes secretary:                                                Marco Pietrantonio
To handle any direct correspondence for the NLCA, to direct enquiries or queries to the appropriate officer, to issue any holding or covering letters to trade or public as required until the appropriate officer can respond. To take minutes at each monthly meeting, and to issue them on the NLCA web site.
Forum moderator:
To keep a watchful eye on the NLCA and limochat forums for situations of abuse, rudeness or disrespect. To refer back to the ethics committee, if appropriate, for guidance as to sanctions or removal from the forum. This has become of extreme importance in view of the total lack of respect for other members, and the unacceptable comments by non members. Possibly to view messages before they are posted.
Web Master                                                                              Eddie Dillon
To maintain the NLCA website and carry out updates and changes to the site and booking agency, to advice members and committee or any changes or upgrades that may be needed, to host the NLCA web site. To ensure that the NLCA web site is kept in good and current order.
Events co-ordinator:
To promote the NLCA by working with any chosen charities, suggesting and organising events (both charity and NLCA) and canvassing support from members and public alike. Organise any social events for the NLCA.
News & Newsletter:
To compile and distribute (by e mail) a monthly news letter for the NLCA, with articles submitted by members and committee alike. To send any notifications to members about coming events, monthly meetings, urgent changes to laws and statutes etc as needed (by email)
Press & publicity:
(Possibly the same person as the News & newsletter) Dealing diligently with press, issuing any press statements after checking with the relevant officer or member most suited or involved. To seek out opportunities to gain press space for the NLCA on a regular basis, to promote the services of the NLCA, and to raise the awareness and profile of the NLCA wherever possible.
Legislation officer:                                                          Bill Bowling
To stay abreast of current and proposed legislation, guide and assist members with licensing problems at both Local authority level and with the Traffic Commissioners. To lobby government for specific and appropriate legislation for limousines, novelty vehicles and chauffeur driven vehicles alike.
To test and challenge any changes to law as required, to provide advice for members with prosecutions from local authorities, VOSA and traffic commissioners, to represent (whenever possible and practical) members at public inquiries and court cases(where permitted)To advise on impending changes, and assist in ensuring that members vehicles are fully compliant with current legislation.
Assistant Legislation officer                                            Graham Bentham: Jason Earl: Matt Davies
To assist and provide cover for the legislation office as and when needed, guide members when requested. To help with any backlog of changes to the law as may arise by giving guidance to members on an ad hoc basis. To cover any or all of the duties of the legislation officer as may be required. To prepare for the eventual transition to cover the role of legislation officer in the future.
Ethics Committee:
Chairman:                                                                     John Flint
+ 4 elected or co-opted members
To investigate and deal with any complaints from the public and customers as to the conduct and ethics of a member, to draw up a code of conduct for members of the NLCA to abide by. To caution or apply sanctions to any member found guilty of transgressions.
Liaison officers:
To promote the cause of the NLCA, to talk and liaise with other operators in your area, to actively canvass new members for the group, to report any matters that may need attention from other officers of the NLCA, to refer new or potential members to the appropriate person for help and assistance.
To report any causes for concern that the group may not be aware of for action. To act as the local face, and representative for the NLCA.
  • Scotland: David Morley
  • Midlands: Marco Pietrantonio
  • Southern:
  • North East:
  • North West: Danny Cawley

News Source: NLCA

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding cars cause traffic chaos in China

February 2, 2012 By Trudi Johnson
china-wedding-car

As the eighth day of the Chinese Lunar Year, January 30th 2012 was deemed a very lucky day for brides and grooms to tie the knot. However the sheer volume of newlyweds on the roads on China’s east province of Zhejiang in their wedding cars caused a headache for other roads users causing gridlocked traffic as hoards of brides and grooms flocked to get their photographs taken at the nearby park.

It’s customary for newly married couples to drive a lap around the Taizhou government square in the east province of China, however due to the large number of couples getting married on this highly auspicious day, this caused major repercussions as wedding cars decorated with flowers and ribbons brought the rest of the traffic to a standstill due to the large volume of wedding cars all attempting to do the same thing.

Brides and grooms, along with their photographers, headed in their droves to the town hall and nearby park to pose for their wedding photographs, with many wedding cars simply being pulled up onto the side of the road as the occupants jumped out for their photo shoots.

The local traffic police say they plan to ban parking around the area the next time a lucky wedding date arrives, and also banning wedding cars from being decorated with ribbons, and using fire crackers will also be disallowed to prevent the vehicles from travelling at a slow rate and causing traffic tailbacks.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, Wedding News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Rolls Royce special edition sells out in 2 months

January 31, 2012 By Trudi Johnson
rolls-royce-year-of-the-dragon

The limited edition Rolls Royce Year of the Dragon Phantom has sold out in just two months.

The special edition Rolls Royce was priced at $1.2 million and created especially to commemorate the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, with the luxury Phantom proving to be a very popular choice amongst its Chinese customers despite its hefty price tag. The next year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese calendar, isn’t until 2024, which may have contributed to the rush on this particular special edition.

The top spec Phantom is sold in a unique shade of maroon and decorated with gold detailing including ornate dragons to tie in with the theme of the special edition. The vehicle has the option to be customised further to each individual customer’s requirements with personalised embroidery on the upholstery, drinks cabinets and even specialised picnic baskets.

According to the luxury car manufacturer, their range of highly bespoke vehicles are always strong sellers within the Chinese market as the car maker has found that the opportunity for personalisation is highly attractive to its customers in China.

While Rolls Royce predicts a successful year in 2012 with plans to open more dealerships in China to add to its current range of 14 showrooms in the country, the high end car manufacturer is unsure on whether they’ll be able to match the record breaking sales figures of 2011.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Audi R8 Limo YouTube video gains almost 250k hits in 20 days

January 30, 2012 By Dez Rowley
audi-r8-limo

The popularity of the YouTube video of the exclusive Audi R8 limousine, which will become the signature vehicle for Limo Broker once complete, shows no signs of waning as the video hit nearly 250,000 views over the weekend, less than 20 days after the clip was posted online.

The stunning 3D render YouTube video which showcases the design for the never-seen-before Audi R8 Limo was first unveiled to an invited audience at the annual Transport Broker Awards at the beginning of the month.

The video was uploaded onto YouTube shortly after it’s unveiling at the gala dinner and awards ceremony and has since caused shockwaves across the globe with articles being written about the Audi R8 limo by American magazine, Forbes, also Top Gear, PistonHeads and many, many other high profile press sites.

The online hits of the Audi R8 limo have gone through the roof with the video being re-posted on thousands of forums and websites within a matter of hours of being posted online. The number of views currently stands at 243,500 although the number is rising by the hour and shows no sign of stalling.

The Audi R8 limousine is being created in association with bespoke vehicle manufacturers, Carbonyte UK, who are working with Limo Broker to create this world first limousine. Due to the overwhelming response from the press and public since the project was unveiled, the completion date for the Audi R8 limousine has been pulled forward so the limo is expected to be up and running by early summer 2012. To book your ride in the exclusive Audi R8 limo, get in touch with Limo Broker today.

Filed Under: All News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News, UK Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

David Beckham replacing his Roll Royce Phantom with a Ghost

January 30, 2012 By Trudi Johnson
david-beckham-rolls-royce-drophead-phantom

World famous footballer, David Beckham, is selling his limited edition black Rolls Royce Phantom in order to make way for another luxury vehicle, a Rolls Royce Ghost.

The former England skipper bought the Rolls Royce Drophead Phantom Coupé in 2008 paying £350,000 for the limited edition black vehicle and spending several thousand of pounds again having the state of the art convertible customised.

The footballer is believed to have overseen the entire customisation of the Phantom, adding blacked out tinted windows, 24 alloy wheels, wood decking, and even having the iconic symbol that rides on the bonnet of every Rolls Royce, the Spirit of Ecstasy, painted black to match the rest of the car, creating a truly unique vehicle. Due to the Phantom’s unmistakable look, the Rolls Royce became a famous car in Hollywood where the Beckham family currently live.

However it seems the Beckham clan are looking for their next Rolls Royce fix, with David reportedly on the waiting list for a brand new Rolls Royce Ghost.

Only last week, specialist Rolls Royce car rental provider, RentaRoller.co.uk reported a upturn in the fortunes of the Rolls Royce Ghost as the private hire firm had experienced an increase in the number of enquiries and bookings for the Ghost which lead RentaRoller.co.uk to predict that the Rolls Royce Ghost will become the wedding car of 2012.

Limo Broker also boasts a stunning range of Rolls Royce vehicles for hire in all parts of the UK; take your pick from the immaculate Rolls Royce Phantom, the Drophead Phantom and the Rolls Royce Ghost, all of which are available for hire for a range of occasions.

Filed Under: All News, Celebrity Watch, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Luxury Car title awarded to Mercedes Benz S-Class

January 27, 2012 By Trudi Johnson
mercedes-s-class-black

The Mercedes Benz S-Class has been awarded the What Car? title of Best Luxury Car of Year for 2012 marking the seventh consecutive year the leading car model has won the award.

The Mercedes Benz S-Class has long since been an extremely popular choice of vehicle for private hire chauffeurs as the Merc is often sought after for wedding car hire services and also corporate hire including airport transfers and transport to business meetings and events.

The sumptuous and sophisticated interiors have helped the Mercedes Benz S-Class establish itself as the perfect chauffeur car offering a highly comfortable and relaxing ride for passengers, coupled with Mercedes’ commitment to introducing new technology and the very latest onboard entertainment features which makes travelling all the more enjoyable for the passenger.

The top of the range Mercedes Benz S-Class model boasts a 6.0 litre engine with capability to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds while the most fuel efficient Mercedes in the range produces 45.6mpg making it an economical choice for many chauffeurs. A new addition to the S-Class model is the stop/ start technology which aids fuel efficiency and also helps to reduce CO2 emissions.

Mercedes Benz were thrilled to be named What Car? Best luxury Car of 2012, adding that as this year marks the seventh consecutive time the model has scooped the award, this “asserts S-Class as the pinnacle of luxurious motoring.”

Filed Under: All News, Car Hire News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Transport News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cardiff City heading to Wembley for Carling Cup Final – Book your Limo today!

January 25, 2012 By Dez Rowley
Limo Broker logo

After last night’s thrilling semi final victory over Crystal Palace, Cardiff City fans will be planning their trip to London to take on either Liverpool or Manchester City for the Final at Wembley Stadium. The final is guaranteed to be an electrifying match so to ensure you make the most of the Bluebird’s trip to Wembley, celebrate by hiring a chauffeur driven limousine today and arrive in London in the lap of luxury.

While Limo Broker is a nationwide company, the firm’s head office is based in Cardiff, so as a special offer to all Cardiff City fans travelling to London for the Carling Cup Final, Limo Broker is offering a whole host of discounted deals across every limousine and party bus within its fleet for footie fans travelling to the capital for the final on February 26th.

Limo Broker boasts the largest fleet of luxury hummer limos, stretch limousines, party buses and chauffeur cars in the UK so however many people you need to transport, whatever size or style limo you’re looking for and however large or small your budget, trust Limo Broker to match you up with a chauffeur driven limo to Wembley which ticks all of your boxes.

For passionate Bluebird fans, how about hiring one of our blue hummer limos? The largest hummers amongst our fleet have room onboard for 18 passengers, so plenty of room for all of your mates, plus they are jam packed with the latest entertainment features including karaoke systems so you can enjoy a sing along as you travel, also plasma screens and state of the art sound systems.

Get in touch with Limo Broker today to make the most of the cheap limo hire deals available for Cardiff City football fans travelling to Wembley Stadium on February 26th for the Carling Cup Final – our best rates are guaranteed.

Filed Under: All News, Car Hire News, Chauffeur News, Limo News, Sports Events UK, Sports News, TV News, Transport News, UK Events Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts