Hello people,
I am starting this blog with an explanation about today's title "a promise is nothing until it is delivered". Recently we had an email from a random company asking us to quote for their chauffeur hire from their office to various destinations. Once the quotes were ready and before we e mailed them back I spoke to the young lady on the phone trying to get a feel as to why they would want to change their supplier so suddenly. She tells me that apparently their chauffeur company told them that they do not have to send them the car that they had ordered if it was not available and that they were within their rights to send them a replacement as per their terms and conditions.
After 30 years in the London chauffeur hire industry I have never heard anything so stupid as that statement. Our whole ethos here is that we live by our word and never break a promise. Our clients depend on us to make their travel a stress free period, indeed they look to us to entertain their clients as if we were part of their organisation whilst getting them from A to B safely. I am amazed that in this day and age there are people like that in our business. What ever happened to that word "SERVICE" and how do companies like that win contracts.
I hope that by now you have made arrangements for your Christmas chauffeur hire in London as things are beginning to get a little tight. Please remember that most accidents occur at low speeds and that you should not even have one drink and drive, let us do the driving whilst you do the drinking.
Finally need I say more than here come the ashes, back to where they belong.
Enough, have a safe week, till then.
Thursday 9 December 2010
Monday 29 November 2010
We wish you a merry Christmas and safe motoring
Good morning people,
It's been a while since the last blog but that's only because I have been away drumming up business in Europe for chauffeur driven car hire (and on holiday).
Whilst I was away the whole set up was being looked after by Peter Jnr and Chris and a fine job they did. They kept me up to date with what was happening in the London chauffeur hire industry. The business is improving by the day but that's only because of the time of the year. Our corporate clients have been booking their requirements for their parties over the next month. I can see people being disappointed by not booking early but I am afraid we can only do so much. We have just been awarded the contract for a 5 star hotel that has just reopened, this in itself will take up a lot of our capacity, even though we have had to order new cars that should be with us in a week or two.
Chauffeur drive work in London is on the up which is good for us. The good thing about the new generation of managers who are responsible for awarding these contracts is that they are stepping back in time and are asking for trained chauffeurs rather than drivers. It appears that once again we are being asked to provide proper liveried chauffeurs with good knowledge of London and standards of service that are of the highest order with a price to match. The days of turning up for work in a pin stripe suit with a purple shirt and matching tie and pointed tan shoes are over, thank God. The fact that we maintained uniformed staff over the years is now paying off.
People who now want to work in our industry whether they are owner drivers or work for a London chauffeur hire company must follow a set of standards that match those of our competitors outside of the UK. Our industry has gone Global and even though we in the UK started chauffeur driven cars back in the day we have now been overtaken by almost every country. So, we have to go back to the basics if only to compete with companies that have offices here and around the world.
Just like football clubs a lot of the chauffeur hire companies are now in foreign hands mostly American who believe in doing things their way (the correct way) With a smile and a have a nice day attitude.
Winter has finally arrived and the frost on our windscreens is set thick. People, be careful on how you get rid of it and for heavens sake don't use very hot water because that will just crack it. By now you should have had your winter service. Now is the time that you put a travel blanket and a few bottles of water in the car along with some snacks just in case you get stranded in the snow. Off course its a lot safer to let the professionals do the driving in extreme weather.
Finally our cricket team in the land of Aus and are about to kick their behinds, all those who agree say yyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.
Till next time,
Peter.
It's been a while since the last blog but that's only because I have been away drumming up business in Europe for chauffeur driven car hire (and on holiday).
Whilst I was away the whole set up was being looked after by Peter Jnr and Chris and a fine job they did. They kept me up to date with what was happening in the London chauffeur hire industry. The business is improving by the day but that's only because of the time of the year. Our corporate clients have been booking their requirements for their parties over the next month. I can see people being disappointed by not booking early but I am afraid we can only do so much. We have just been awarded the contract for a 5 star hotel that has just reopened, this in itself will take up a lot of our capacity, even though we have had to order new cars that should be with us in a week or two.
Chauffeur drive work in London is on the up which is good for us. The good thing about the new generation of managers who are responsible for awarding these contracts is that they are stepping back in time and are asking for trained chauffeurs rather than drivers. It appears that once again we are being asked to provide proper liveried chauffeurs with good knowledge of London and standards of service that are of the highest order with a price to match. The days of turning up for work in a pin stripe suit with a purple shirt and matching tie and pointed tan shoes are over, thank God. The fact that we maintained uniformed staff over the years is now paying off.
People who now want to work in our industry whether they are owner drivers or work for a London chauffeur hire company must follow a set of standards that match those of our competitors outside of the UK. Our industry has gone Global and even though we in the UK started chauffeur driven cars back in the day we have now been overtaken by almost every country. So, we have to go back to the basics if only to compete with companies that have offices here and around the world.
Just like football clubs a lot of the chauffeur hire companies are now in foreign hands mostly American who believe in doing things their way (the correct way) With a smile and a have a nice day attitude.
Winter has finally arrived and the frost on our windscreens is set thick. People, be careful on how you get rid of it and for heavens sake don't use very hot water because that will just crack it. By now you should have had your winter service. Now is the time that you put a travel blanket and a few bottles of water in the car along with some snacks just in case you get stranded in the snow. Off course its a lot safer to let the professionals do the driving in extreme weather.
Finally our cricket team in the land of Aus and are about to kick their behinds, all those who agree say yyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.
Till next time,
Peter.
Monday 27 September 2010
Welcome to all the American Golf fans.
This week sees the start to the Ryder Cup. Today both the teams reported at Celtic Manor for the inauguration of the tournament. Along with the teams we are expecting a very large number of supporters of which many will be staying in London. All of our hard work in promoting this event looks like paying off as we are now being inundated with bookings. We do however have a variety of vehicles available and our staff would be happy to quote for your requirements. Two years ago the American team won the match in their back yard this year however they will straggle because of the firmness of the greens and the cold weather in the Welsh valleys.
This week also sees the beginning of re training for all of our chauffeurs. This happens every year, its the time that our staff are updated with all the changes in the Chauffeur Hire industry. We also have the opportunity to see how much progress they have made from the last training session. Chris has been working really hard on making sure that all of our standards are upheld.
It has been said that he is turning into his grandfather who did part of his job many years ago, now there was a man who was a stickler for the rules and taught with it as well.
Chauffeur hire in London constantly changes as demands from clients become more and more finer. It seems that we are now going back 20 years where etiquette was the most important thing in the industry. Clients are now asking for a different kind of chauffeur, one that not only knows his way around but one who can adapt his duties. They are no longer satisfied with an ordinary chauffeur they now want him to be their valet and body guard as well. New money has run dry and old money has risen to top once again and the demands from London chauffeur hire companies are now so much more old school than new.
With the Pakistanis sent home with their tails between their legs we now have a break in the international cricket calender. Football however is now in full swing. Chelsea is still top of the league even though they lost their first game over the weekend but the others have not been able to take advantage of this.
That's all for this week have a good one till then .
This week also sees the beginning of re training for all of our chauffeurs. This happens every year, its the time that our staff are updated with all the changes in the Chauffeur Hire industry. We also have the opportunity to see how much progress they have made from the last training session. Chris has been working really hard on making sure that all of our standards are upheld.
It has been said that he is turning into his grandfather who did part of his job many years ago, now there was a man who was a stickler for the rules and taught with it as well.
Chauffeur hire in London constantly changes as demands from clients become more and more finer. It seems that we are now going back 20 years where etiquette was the most important thing in the industry. Clients are now asking for a different kind of chauffeur, one that not only knows his way around but one who can adapt his duties. They are no longer satisfied with an ordinary chauffeur they now want him to be their valet and body guard as well. New money has run dry and old money has risen to top once again and the demands from London chauffeur hire companies are now so much more old school than new.
With the Pakistanis sent home with their tails between their legs we now have a break in the international cricket calender. Football however is now in full swing. Chelsea is still top of the league even though they lost their first game over the weekend but the others have not been able to take advantage of this.
That's all for this week have a good one till then .
Tuesday 21 September 2010
Sickness presence:a risc to our organisation?
The negative impact of sickness absence on employers in the Chauffeur Hire industry is never reported in the press, but according to a report released in April 2010 by the Work Foundation, an equally problematic but lesser recognised danger lurks; 'sickness presence' - employees coming into work even though they are too unwell to carry out their duties. The report argues that employers are not aware of the potential problems caused to London Chauffeur Hire by ill employees coming in to work, which could account for 1.5 times more working time lost than the cost of sickness absence, which has been estimated at around £3.5 million per year.
In 2009 the performance of the worlds stock exchanges became the key indicator of economic growth, and this trend is expected to continue with focus on the emerging markets. Nothing is so certain though. In spite of the IMF's fore casted economic growth of 3.1% during 2010 analysts and investors remain optimistic about the fortunes of the last quarter continuing, which saw share prices rocketing with confidence, but some of them still believe that a double dip recession is on the horizon helped by the cut backs of the new government. We in the Chauffeur Hire London business are feeling the impact already. As companies in London, indeed in the whole world feel that turnover will become harder to achieve they automatically cut back on their least required luxuries in our case Chauffeur Hire. Please if you happen to be talking to your MP in the next few days ask him to tell the powers to be that they are hurting business in London.
This weeks sporing news is very controversial. The chairman of the board for Pakistan's cricket team has come out and said that the English players are cheating just like them. Needless to say that is all rubbish as he has no proof whats so ever. In my opinion we should pack their bags and send them on their merry way, no one needs these type of people. Great news on the football front Chelsea remain un beaten, now 4 point ahead of their nearest rivals and we have only played 5 games. Who is going to catch us. Next week sees the start of the Ryder Cup. I wonder if you have made your travel arrangements yet? If not the time has come for you to do so, call us for a price, you will be amazed at how reasonable we are.
The weather has began to change, it is getting colder by the day. This is the time of the year that people catch the flue so please be careful, wrap up. It is also the time that you should be looking to top up the radiator with anti freeze. Be prepared get your car looked at by professionals it could save you a packet.
That's all for today, till next time wrap up and keep safe people.
In 2009 the performance of the worlds stock exchanges became the key indicator of economic growth, and this trend is expected to continue with focus on the emerging markets. Nothing is so certain though. In spite of the IMF's fore casted economic growth of 3.1% during 2010 analysts and investors remain optimistic about the fortunes of the last quarter continuing, which saw share prices rocketing with confidence, but some of them still believe that a double dip recession is on the horizon helped by the cut backs of the new government. We in the Chauffeur Hire London business are feeling the impact already. As companies in London, indeed in the whole world feel that turnover will become harder to achieve they automatically cut back on their least required luxuries in our case Chauffeur Hire. Please if you happen to be talking to your MP in the next few days ask him to tell the powers to be that they are hurting business in London.
This weeks sporing news is very controversial. The chairman of the board for Pakistan's cricket team has come out and said that the English players are cheating just like them. Needless to say that is all rubbish as he has no proof whats so ever. In my opinion we should pack their bags and send them on their merry way, no one needs these type of people. Great news on the football front Chelsea remain un beaten, now 4 point ahead of their nearest rivals and we have only played 5 games. Who is going to catch us. Next week sees the start of the Ryder Cup. I wonder if you have made your travel arrangements yet? If not the time has come for you to do so, call us for a price, you will be amazed at how reasonable we are.
The weather has began to change, it is getting colder by the day. This is the time of the year that people catch the flue so please be careful, wrap up. It is also the time that you should be looking to top up the radiator with anti freeze. Be prepared get your car looked at by professionals it could save you a packet.
That's all for today, till next time wrap up and keep safe people.
Monday 13 September 2010
Save the Environment GO Carbon Neutral
We at Browns Chauffeur Hire are proud to announce that for the past year or so we have been Carbon Neutral. In other words we have become tree planters to counter balance our carbon emissions. With our planet's population continuing to increase and the quality of life for millions in the developing world improving daily our demand for energy is also growing. In order to meet everyone's needs 25 years from now may take 50% more energy than we use now.
Finding and developing all the fuel and power that we will need for our homes, businesses and vehicles while protecting the environment, could be one of the greatest challenges our generation will face. At some stage we will all have to look at our selves and decide how best we can help to safeguard our way of life and we need to do that right now. We as a company have decided to become carbon neutral as a start.
This human energy that drives us to succeed has been there every day since the beginning and it will be with us for many tomorrows to come. London Chauffeur Hire companies have a duty to do as much as they can to save the environment, each and every one of us must cut our carbon emissions totally, we owe it to our children, we owe it to the world.
I must get off this soap box before it crumbles and breaks. Have you been watching the cricket one dayers, boy are we humiliating the Pakistanis. Two tests down and they have not looked like winning at all. They are almost like West Ham, useless. Still Chelsea are doing well, that's 4 out of 4 now, a lot better that we expected. JB lost the Italian Grand Prix through a major mistake by his team, I mean why would you tell your opponents what your plans are in advance, how stupid is that. The golf players that have been selected for the Ryder Cup are on a roll, they have won the last 5 tournamments in Europe, they are now peaking at the right time, bring on the US.
Life for Chauffeur Hire in London has taken a step for the better. It appears that confidence is slowly returning to the business world and when that happens the Chauffeur Hire industry picks up and when we pick up the theatres pick up and when they pick up the restaurants pick up and so on and so the world goes round. For the first time this year we are looking to increase our fleet and chauffeurs.
That's about all for this week have good one and be careful out there. No need to drink and drive, drink and let a chauffeur to take you home.
Finding and developing all the fuel and power that we will need for our homes, businesses and vehicles while protecting the environment, could be one of the greatest challenges our generation will face. At some stage we will all have to look at our selves and decide how best we can help to safeguard our way of life and we need to do that right now. We as a company have decided to become carbon neutral as a start.
This human energy that drives us to succeed has been there every day since the beginning and it will be with us for many tomorrows to come. London Chauffeur Hire companies have a duty to do as much as they can to save the environment, each and every one of us must cut our carbon emissions totally, we owe it to our children, we owe it to the world.
I must get off this soap box before it crumbles and breaks. Have you been watching the cricket one dayers, boy are we humiliating the Pakistanis. Two tests down and they have not looked like winning at all. They are almost like West Ham, useless. Still Chelsea are doing well, that's 4 out of 4 now, a lot better that we expected. JB lost the Italian Grand Prix through a major mistake by his team, I mean why would you tell your opponents what your plans are in advance, how stupid is that. The golf players that have been selected for the Ryder Cup are on a roll, they have won the last 5 tournamments in Europe, they are now peaking at the right time, bring on the US.
Life for Chauffeur Hire in London has taken a step for the better. It appears that confidence is slowly returning to the business world and when that happens the Chauffeur Hire industry picks up and when we pick up the theatres pick up and when they pick up the restaurants pick up and so on and so the world goes round. For the first time this year we are looking to increase our fleet and chauffeurs.
That's about all for this week have good one and be careful out there. No need to drink and drive, drink and let a chauffeur to take you home.
Monday 6 September 2010
General guidance on private hire Law Part 2.
A number of our followers and users of Chauffeur Hire in London have asked me to expand on the previously published blog regarding the responsibilities of a PHV operator as required by the 1998 Act. Which states that we are only permitted to use PHV licenced cars and PHV licenced drivers. Failure to do so could result in the cancellation of our PHV licence. It is also our duty as PHV operators to keep certain records of our operation.
These Include:
1 Bookings
Booking records for Chauffeur Hire must be kept in writing or in form in which it can be deduced to writing. Computer records are acceptable if they can be printed off a printer on demand. Booking records must include the details of any booking accepted by an operator and must include particulars such as date and time of journey, name or identification of person for whom the booking is made for, place of collection and destination. The name or identification of the driver carrying out the booking, the registration number or ID of the vehicle carrying out the booking.
2 Vehicles
PHV operators must also keep at their operating centre specified on their licence records of private hire vehicles to be used for London Chauffeur Hire which are available to carry out bookings accepted at the centre. Particulars to be kept include,the make of vehicle, model and colour, registration mark and registered keeper. Also required is a valid MOT certificate where required. A copy of the insurance certificate and date when the vehicle became available to carry out bookings accepted by the licenced PHV operator.
3 Drivers.
Records of drivers used by PHV operator for the use for Chauffeur Hire must also be kept at their operating centre and must contain particulars of full the name, address, date of birth, national insurance number. photocopy of their driving licence, photocopy of their PHV licence, a photograph of the driver and the date he became available to the operator. Drivers must at all times have on show their PHV licence whilst carrying out bookings for PHV operators.
I hope this clears up our duty as a PHV operator. Our clients are free to visit our operating centre and audit our records to make sure that we are in compliance with the Law on every aspect.
Friday saw the beginning of the qualifiers for the European Championships. England won their first game by 4 goals to nil. The performance wasn't a lot to talk about but at this stage its the result that counts. Murray did a Henman and crashed out of the US open and the Pakistanis won the first 20/20 game. I wonder if they had a bet on themselves to win by 5 wickets. Chelsea is still at the top of the league and look like staying there for a while yet.
Just a quick reminder people now that the kids are back at school. Browns is able to arrange theatre tickets for you and bookings to your favourite restaurants. Chauffeur driven cars have never been so cheap to hire than now so you might want to take advantage of the special deals that are available at this precise moment. Call us if you think we can help with anything. We would take time to make things happen so that you would not have to stress.
Have a good week, till next time.
These Include:
1 Bookings
Booking records for Chauffeur Hire must be kept in writing or in form in which it can be deduced to writing. Computer records are acceptable if they can be printed off a printer on demand. Booking records must include the details of any booking accepted by an operator and must include particulars such as date and time of journey, name or identification of person for whom the booking is made for, place of collection and destination. The name or identification of the driver carrying out the booking, the registration number or ID of the vehicle carrying out the booking.
2 Vehicles
PHV operators must also keep at their operating centre specified on their licence records of private hire vehicles to be used for London Chauffeur Hire which are available to carry out bookings accepted at the centre. Particulars to be kept include,the make of vehicle, model and colour, registration mark and registered keeper. Also required is a valid MOT certificate where required. A copy of the insurance certificate and date when the vehicle became available to carry out bookings accepted by the licenced PHV operator.
3 Drivers.
Records of drivers used by PHV operator for the use for Chauffeur Hire must also be kept at their operating centre and must contain particulars of full the name, address, date of birth, national insurance number. photocopy of their driving licence, photocopy of their PHV licence, a photograph of the driver and the date he became available to the operator. Drivers must at all times have on show their PHV licence whilst carrying out bookings for PHV operators.
I hope this clears up our duty as a PHV operator. Our clients are free to visit our operating centre and audit our records to make sure that we are in compliance with the Law on every aspect.
Friday saw the beginning of the qualifiers for the European Championships. England won their first game by 4 goals to nil. The performance wasn't a lot to talk about but at this stage its the result that counts. Murray did a Henman and crashed out of the US open and the Pakistanis won the first 20/20 game. I wonder if they had a bet on themselves to win by 5 wickets. Chelsea is still at the top of the league and look like staying there for a while yet.
Just a quick reminder people now that the kids are back at school. Browns is able to arrange theatre tickets for you and bookings to your favourite restaurants. Chauffeur driven cars have never been so cheap to hire than now so you might want to take advantage of the special deals that are available at this precise moment. Call us if you think we can help with anything. We would take time to make things happen so that you would not have to stress.
Have a good week, till next time.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
General Guidance on private hire law.
With the school holidays coming to an end most of us are returning to work if not in mind then in body. This is not something that we are looking forward to but it has to be done. This is also the time that we all go back and review the services that we currently purchase and try to decide if the decision to use them in the first place was the correct one. Our expertise lies in Chauffeur Hire in London and this week I will try to out line what you should be looking for in the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998. Over the next few weeks I will explain to you why the Act came into being and all the benefits it gives you as a user of chauffeur driven cars. The Act provides the legal power for the licensing and regulation of private hire operators, drivers and vehicles. Private hire vehicles include a range of vehicles including minicabs, executive cars, limousines and chauffeur services.
This week we will concentrate on the Private Hire Operators who supply Chauffeur Hire.
The Private Hire vehicles operator is the ONLY person with whom the passenger books the journey and it is the operator's responsibility to see that it is carried out safely and efficiently. A responsible operator will know its drivers and its cars. The operator has the legal responsibility to keep records of the driver's licences, insurance, car details and will know when it is due for its mot tests. The operator must also keep proper records of journey bookings, who undertook them and all quoted fare.
Only a licenced operator can accept a booking and dispatch a private hire vehicle to a customer. An operator can only accept bookings and dispatch private hire vehicles from the premises mentioned in his PHV operators licence.
London Chauffeur Hire drivers can only carry out private hire bookings through a licenced operator. London Chauffeur Hire drivers who undertake work that has not been booked through a PHV operator are committing the offence of touting for which they may be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.00 and also have their drivers licence suspended or revoked.
That about tells you what we as operators are expected to abide to, the rest is down to you. All we can say is that Browns Chauffeur Hire follow the rules to the T. Please note that you as a customer should be giving the bookings to the office as well as the driver if you feel it necessary.
Next week week I will go through the requirements of a PHV driver.
Over the last few days we have seen the revelations that Cricket is rife with alleged corruption. Something that we as a society should not allow because today it may be cricket tomorrow football and then Government. WE must insist that the culprits are punished most severely and where necessary jailed for their part. We cannot afford for this type of thing to creep into the British way of life. We must stop it at its infancy as soon as possible. Having said that we still spanked them good and proper now bring on the Aussies.
The teams have been announced for the Ryder Cup and the event is almost upon us. Are you ready for it. Are you going to attend Celtic Manor if so how are you getting there? Call us and we will make your travel plans for you.
Have a good week and be careful out there.
This week we will concentrate on the Private Hire Operators who supply Chauffeur Hire.
The Private Hire vehicles operator is the ONLY person with whom the passenger books the journey and it is the operator's responsibility to see that it is carried out safely and efficiently. A responsible operator will know its drivers and its cars. The operator has the legal responsibility to keep records of the driver's licences, insurance, car details and will know when it is due for its mot tests. The operator must also keep proper records of journey bookings, who undertook them and all quoted fare.
Only a licenced operator can accept a booking and dispatch a private hire vehicle to a customer. An operator can only accept bookings and dispatch private hire vehicles from the premises mentioned in his PHV operators licence.
London Chauffeur Hire drivers can only carry out private hire bookings through a licenced operator. London Chauffeur Hire drivers who undertake work that has not been booked through a PHV operator are committing the offence of touting for which they may be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.00 and also have their drivers licence suspended or revoked.
That about tells you what we as operators are expected to abide to, the rest is down to you. All we can say is that Browns Chauffeur Hire follow the rules to the T. Please note that you as a customer should be giving the bookings to the office as well as the driver if you feel it necessary.
Next week week I will go through the requirements of a PHV driver.
Over the last few days we have seen the revelations that Cricket is rife with alleged corruption. Something that we as a society should not allow because today it may be cricket tomorrow football and then Government. WE must insist that the culprits are punished most severely and where necessary jailed for their part. We cannot afford for this type of thing to creep into the British way of life. We must stop it at its infancy as soon as possible. Having said that we still spanked them good and proper now bring on the Aussies.
The teams have been announced for the Ryder Cup and the event is almost upon us. Are you ready for it. Are you going to attend Celtic Manor if so how are you getting there? Call us and we will make your travel plans for you.
Have a good week and be careful out there.
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