School prom limo hire bookings on the up in Cardiff
Party Bus Limos are proving a popular choice for prom dates in Cardiff
One of the UK’s biggest providers of limo hire, Limo Broker, have reported a surge in bookings for school proms in the Cardiff area. The craze for American style high school proms is gaining momentum year on year and is fast becoming one of the most popular occasions for limo hire.
Cardiff seems to become something of a Mecca for Welsh proms with many schools from outside the city, from Newport, the Valleys, Bridgend, and Caerphilly, all choosing to hold their proms venues in Cardiff. With so many prom-goers travelling from outside the area into Cardiff, there’s been a rise in the number of bookings for chauffeur driven limos and party buses.
Party buses for schools proms in Cardiff have been a very popular option this year, as most have the capacity to carry more passengers than an average Lincoln Town Car limo, for example, which is limited to carrying just 8 passengers. The party bus also creates a fun atmosphere as it boasts a number of superb onboard features such as fibre optic disco lighting, state of art sound systems.
Hummer limos with COIF certificates are also proving a big hit with the school-prom goers in Cardiff. These limos not only look fantastic, they are also stuffed full of some of the best onboard features that money can buy. As well as neon lighted dance floors, VIP areas, and plasma screens with DVD players, the deluxe hummers also have karaoke systems with inbuilt smoke machines so you can have your very own “Stars in Their Eyes” moment. The biggest plus with the hummers limos is that the COIF certified vehicles can legally carry up to 18 passengers, which is ideal for prom nights.
Limo Broker are already reporting that their entire limo fleet is fully booked in the Cardiff area for many dates during peak prom season. This is having a knock-on effect on wedding car hire as school prom and wedding dates tend to clash as they fall around the same time of the year.
The advice being offered by Limo Broker is to book your limo hire in Cardiff as soon as your prom date is confirmed in order to get the best pick of the limousines. If you’re struggling to find availability for your school prom in Cardiff, become a fan of Limo Broker on Facebook, this way you’ll be the first to be notified of any cancellation bookings.
COIF’d Hummer Limo Vs. Party Bus Limo
Hummer Limo
We are now in a completely different era of stretched limousines compared to just a few years ago.
The Chrysler 300 and Hummer limousines literally changed the way the general public saw the industry as they started to demand exact vehicles rather than ‘just a limo’.
They’ve somehow become experts – knowing their H2’s from their H3’s and their gull-wings from suicide doors. So how does an operator continue to supply what they demand and stay on the right side of the law?
Party Bus Limo
Recent months have seen the announcement that a stretched Hummer H2 can now obtain a Certificate Of Initial Fitness (COIF) – this has taken many years and many hundreds of thousands of pounds to achieve.
However, this is not the only option for an operator who wishes to be bang up-to-date and own a vehicle with the COIF certificate. A number of UK sellers of American stretches have developed vehicles, all managing to clear the Single Vehicle Approval or Individual Vehicle Approval process (SVA/IVA) such as the Krystal Chrysler 300 and Hummer H3 limousines.
There have been some amazing developments within the limo bus market from a number of manufacturers – but can these really pass off as a ‘limousine’ by the client?
Ultimately, the limo buses are vans and minibuses with limousine style interiors. The vehicles used as a base are normally those from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen which both have the ability to obtain a COIF.
Nick Clarke, managing director of Limo World UK thinks there could be a problem when a ‘converted minibus’ turns up on the customers doorstep.
“Limo Buses are great, however, limousine hire isn’t cheap, therefore, the client is always requiring a lot more in return. Although the interiors of the buses are excellent, and just as good as a traditional limousine, I fear that if I operated one, I would have disappointed customers when it turned up.”
He added; “With the advances of the Hummer COIF recently, it would be a no-brainer to purchase one of these as it is a proven brand and can actually cost the same to buy as some of the buses on the market.”
Obviously, there are ups and downs of each option. Limo Buses have the security of a manufacturers warranty, have great fuel economy and they are certainly a lot easier to drive around tight corners. On the down side, the concept of a converted minibus is still very new and rental charges can be lower than a Hummer for example.
A COIF’d Hummer H2 is obviously a fair size over the limo bus, but it is generally more desirable, rental charges are higher, it still fits the traditional ‘American limo’ label and it also comes with a warranty if bought new.
Nick added; “It can be a very difficult decision if you are replacing vehicles or adding to you fleet. The best piece of advice I could offer is listen to your customers – if you don’t supply what they demand, then it will fail.”
There is also good news for operators who already own an H2 – conversions can now be completed which can bring it up to COIF standards. There is more information on the company’s website at www.limoworlduk.com.
VOSA Invites Limo Hire Industry to Ask
Following the announcement of new legislation for over eight passenger limousines, VOSA is inviting members of the limousine industry to find answers to vital questions.
VOSA
The Government agency will be hosting an exclusive seminar at Drive ‘09 – The Professional Drivers Event to find out the concerns of the industry and explain new laws.
Organisers are compiling questions from the industry which will be put to officials at the seminar on both days of the event.
Want to know what you need to do to keep within the law? Don’t understand the new legislation? Want to know what is happening about illegal operators? Now is the chance to ask.
See Drive 09 for more details.
Largest chauffeur, limousine and private hire trade show to highlight vital industry issues
Drive '09 Logo
The future of the chauffeur, limousine and private hire industries which are responsible for generating millions of pounds in the economy is in the spotlight during the industry’s biggest trade event this month.
A host of exclusive seminars will hear from a range of industry experts who will talk on issues such as how to get finance during the downturn, the future of the stretch limousine market and workshops designed to be a helping hand into the industry will be held at Drive ’09 – The Professional Driver’s Event on September 26 and 27th.
Like many other categories, the recession has made it difficult for operators to expand their businesses, however the world’s largest car manufacturers are supporting the event which is to host a number of UK debuts including the all-new Jaguar XJ, Mercedes-Benz facelift S-Class, BMW 530d Gran Turismo, Lexus RX450h and LS600hL along with the recently announced Porsche Panamera.
Other issues which are to be tackled is the use of the bus lanes in London by Private Hire drivers. A specially formed ‘Bus Lane Committee’ will host a discussion forum about its plans and will launch a campaign video which is designed to highlight issues faced by the capitals operators.
Funding issues for new businesses will also be in the spotlight, as well as a presentation by The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) with vital advice on new limousine laws, the agency will also be educating current owners of how to stay legal and avoid prosecution.
For the first time, visitors will be able to test all the latest automotive hardware in a controlled environment on an exclusive test track at the Transport Research Laboratory. Audi, Citroen, Renault, Skoda and Toyota have just announced their attendance and in all, over 40 vehicles will be available to drive on track.
Thousands of trade members are expected to visit Drive ’09 – The Professional Drivers Event when it is opened at the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire on 26th and 27th September 2009.
Members of the trades can attend the event for free, but are encouraged to pre-register via the official website at drive09.co.uk to avoid a charge on the gate. Alternatively, visitors can call 0844 545 0063 to register.
Visitors can also be in with the chance of winning £500 of free fuel when they attend, or even win an exclusive BMW racing day.
Limousine hire industry could be killed warns operator
VOSA
Thousands of stretched limousines across the country could be made redundant from next month if new legislation’s are not taken seriously.
Letters were sent to limousine operators this week by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) giving them twenty days to get vehicles certified to Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) standards if their vehicles carry more than eight passengers.
They were also told to make sure they hold a valid Operators Licence, or risk having their vehicles impounded under the new legislation which come into effect in October.
Nick Clarke, owner of Star Limousines based in East Sussex told thechauffeur.com; “Most of the industry received letters this week notifying them of the changes. It basically means that operators like us who run vehicles such as Hummer H2 limousine will have to obtain a COIF certificate if we want to continue trading.”
He added; “Unfortunately this cannot happen overnight and can take weeks to complete and costs around £15,000. Also it takes a minimum of six weeks to get an operators licence. I do fear that many operators will simply disappear when this legislation is enforced.”
Operators throughout the country are being encouraged to attend the UK’s biggest trade event for the limousine and chauffeur industry to hear VOSA talk about the new legislation. The event takes place on 26th and 27th September 2009 at the Transport Research Laboratory, near Bracknell, Berkshire.
To attend, visit www.drive09.co.uk and register free-of-charge.
Limo hire industry to learn its future at Drive ‘09 by VOSA
VOSA
VOSA is to host an important seminar to educate the industry of its future during the Drive 09 gathering this month.
The government agency is to discuss the role of the agency and the current situation regarding the compliance of the limousine industry. Following various crackdowns on illegal vehicles and operators over the years, owners are eager to find out exact rules on how to operate legally.
The seminar will cover the overall limousine process from designing, importing and purchasing a vehicle through to registration, limo hire operation and maintenance requirements. The aim of the seminar is to improve compliance within the industry and ensure the vehicles are run in a safe and legal manner.
Other issues tackled are the the future changes that are expected to impact on the industry such as the introduction the EC whole vehicle type approval scheme.
Operators, drivers and those looking to enter the industry are being urged to attend the seminar in an attempt to show their support to laying down firm laws.
Register free at www.drive09.co.uk or visit TheChauffeur.com
DJ H and Jas Johal launch Kudos Roadshow in style with an unusual performance in a Hummer limo
Kudos Roadshow
8 lucky competition winners were treated to a private gig from legendary Bhangra producers, DJ H and Jas Johal last week. The extravagant DJ’s wanted to celebrate the launch of their new roadshow, Kudos Music, with a bang so instead of choosing a top London nightclub as his venue of choice, he opted for an exclusive Hummer limo.
Special cables and a raft of sound engineers were drafted in to fix the £150,000 limo up with speakers and decks to allow DJ H to work his magic. The limo usually carries up to 16 passengers but with all the equipment needed to make the gig possible, there was room to seat the 8 winners and no more.
DJ H reeled off a list of his hits whilst the mobile music venue toured the streets of London delighting passers-by who were treated to an impromptu gig. The Bhangra tracks “Ishq Brandy” and “Jawani” featuring Late Kaka Bhaniawala went down a storm with several of the party-goers insisting upon a repeat performance. To add to the suspense of the occasion the 8 competition winners were blindfolded and seated in the limo with DJ H ready at the decks before being allowed to remove their blind folds.
Kudos Music is DJH’s own music production company and a brand new project for the ambitious musician. Already in demand all over the U.K and India, DJ H is hoping to focus upon his own brand of music and entertainment through his new venture. Previously working with Calibar Roadshow as one of the most popular wedding DJ’s in the country, DJ H could think about adding mobile wedding car disco to his list of services after the triumph of his limo gig.
Hummer H2 Limo Vandalised at St Bede’s Senior School, East Sussex
Hummer H2 Limo
Over £1,000 worth of damage was caused to a top of the range Hummer H2 Limo as it drove through a street in Sussex. The luxury vehicle was on its way to an end of year school event for staff at St Bede’s boarding school when an unidentified youth threw at glass bottle at the limo as it drove by.
Unfortunately the unprovoked attack is not a one-off incident. The owner of the vehicle, Mr Nick Clarke, who runs the limo hire company Star Limousines explained that “Over the past two weeks we’ve suffered more than £3,000 worth of damage to our cars.”
This sharp rise in vandalism has prompted the company to invest in the latest CCTV technology to attempt to tackle this growing problem.
Police were called to the scene however the perpetrator had already fled the area. The Second Master of St. Bede’s School said the bottle-thrower was not believed to be a student with a grudge and that the incident was “nothing to do with our staff or students.”
The driver of the £100,000 Hummer H2 limo narrowly escaped injury as the glass Pimms bottle hit the vehicle, inches away from the driver’s window. Police are continuing their investigations although no one, as yet, has been arrested.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is being urged to contact PC Jessica Reynolds at Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting serial 2273 of July 3. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Hummer Limo Hire to celebrate 100th birthday
Hummer Limo
May Hunter chose to hire a Hummer limo for her birthday last week and invited all her friends along for the ride. Nothing unusual in that you may think, but when you factor in the small matter that May was celebrating her 100th birthday, it’s fair to say this wasn’t your average birthday bash.
Born in 1909 May Hunter has lived a full and varied life, but she’d never ridden in a limousine. The former theatre nurse has travelled the world during her 100 years, even journeying on the Orient Express and running a hotel in the Lake District; last week she was able to strike “limo ride” off her list of things to do.
The white hummer limo, a mode of transport generally favoured by hen dos and school proms, took May and 14 of her pals for a spin around her local area of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire. Despite sticking to soft drinks, the partying pensioners still managed to raise the roof and have a good-old-knees-up. The limo’s chauffeur said his unconventional party “were a great laugh and as rowdy as younger customers.”
After their limo ride the birthday clan returned to their MHA Auchlochan retirement village for a tea party to mark May’s centenary. The incorrigible 100 year-olds niece Hilda Johnston had suggested the limo to her aunt thinking it would be “fun idea.” Young-at-heart May jumped at the offer and enjoyed her landmark birthday to the full. The only question which remains is; how will she top this next year? Helicopter ride? Sky dive? Watch this space…
Madonna and Robbie Williams to appear on X Factor
Last night it was leaked that Madonna and Robbie Williams are planned guests for the X Factor live show this year. Brian Freidman, the shows lead choreographer, let slip that the two superstars were set to mentor contestants and perform live during the final stage of the competition.
X Factor is set to be bigger than ever this year as V-necked Simon Cowell pulls no punches in the fight against rival BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. The rivalry between the two shows in recent years has been one of the strongest on television, with X Factor winning last years battle with a 14 million viewership for its final as opposed to Strictly’s 12.6 million.
It is believed that these big-name stars, in addition to a strong rumour regarding a possible appearance by Whitney Houston and Rihanna, are a response to Strictly’s recent scrapping of their Sunday show. This change brings the BBC show in more direct competition with the ITV show because the extended show will be longer, with a similar duration to its rival.
The X Factor have recently completed filming of its second stage, the bootcamp, and the four judges are currently choosing which of their hopefuls will make it to the third and final live stage. During filming, the X Factor have made use of several of Limo Broker’s vehicles, including the classic Lincoln Towncar and, Simon’s favourite, the 8-wheel Hummer H2. The public will have to wait a while to see these in action because the X Factor starts again on August 22 with Strictly Come Dancing starting later, in early September.
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