Leading the Council and the Chauffeur hire market

Leading the Council and the Chauffeur hire market
Many of the articles furnishing the pages of private hire,Chauffeur hire and limousine hire publications highlight the conflict between the Executive Chauffeur driven car industries and their local Town Halls.  In Fylde Borough,  the local Council Leader is helping drive up the standards of the local industry as he is also the Managing Director of Fylde Executive Cars Ltd, one of the North West’s largest corporate chauffeur hire companies.
 
Whilst working for a local taxi operator,John Coombes Snr and his partner set up on their own after building a small base of clients who regularly asked for them.  The business was established in 1989 with two Ford Granada’s before changing onto the Vauxhall Carlton.  John Junior joined the family business in 1995 and is now the Managing Director.

 “When I joined the business I started as a chauffeur to learn the ropes. Being at the coal face made me realise the challenges of purchasing and operating your own vehicle and, of course, the family pressures when you’re torn away from the dinner table at a moment’s notice to collect an important client!  Although I am now Managing Director and spend most of my day in the office or with clients I still take time to drive and spend time with the companies most important asset - our drivers.
 
On taking over the reins from my father, I up-graded the fleet to the Vauxhall Omega before switching to the Volvo S80 when, sadly, production of the Omega was ended.  In the mid 90's we had six full time vehicles; we now operate 30 full time owner-drivers with a reliable base of sub-contractors.  In addition we operate two Bentley Arnage T's and can also provide coaches, charter helicopters and private jets.
 
This success has been down to not compromising on quality or price.  I made the decision early on that I would rather loose a job than get into a "Dutch Auction" with local taxi providers or one-man bands.  In the current economic climate there is a risk that clients may stray but, more often than not, we have found they come back as price often effects quality.  Many have found that in real terms based on a 24/7 service we are just as competitively priced as the local taxi companies.
 
In 1999 I decided to try my hand in local Government following a few local issues which I got involved in. I spent the first four years learning the ropes from the opposition back benches before being asked by my colleagues to lead the party at the 2003 elections.  I did and we won!  I became the youngest Council Leader in Fylde's history at 35 and in November this year will have been doing the job for 7 years.  There are obviously some sensitivities around me getting too involved with the local licensing department within the Town Hall, but they know what I do for a living and this keeps them on their toes!  My biggest gripe is with enforcement, or rather, lack of it.  Private Hire and Hackney operators who purchase executive type vehicles and then attempt to have the best of both worlds.  We have a problem with some drivers removing the plates from their E-class to do a private client and then 10 minutes later they are back on the rank with their roof and door signs back on!  This is a breach of the rules and also poses a threat to the general public as residents are often confused by the varying state of livery being carried by some private operators. 
 
I have learnt a lot during my time as a Council Leader, which has also helped the business.  Dealing with the public for one and the ability to think and act quickly as situations arise.  The constant drive to improve services is something that is mirrored both in my Town Hall and business role.  In recent years we have invested heavily in a bespoke on-line booking system.  Old hat you may say,  but we have discovered a multitude of client and office based benefits since it’s implementation which has dramatically sped up our operations and increased our ability to monitor our business.  We have also been at the cutting edge of using the web to promote our product with blogs and a recently updated information website.
 
This ability to adapt to change has meant we have now become one of Lancashire’s largest chauffeur companies and a key partner to many Southern based operators.  We are we now moving into another phase of expansion with the introduction of the Mercedes E-class to the fleet. We are also hoping to minimise the effect of the downturn by further widening our client base beyond the Lancashire boundary.  The downturn will no doubt have it’s casualties but for those who are thinking ahead, are ethical and sticking true to their core business, there are great opportunities.  Sadly the similarity ends there between the business role and the political one, but that's another story!!!
Editor John Coombes, Managing Director, Fylde Executive Cars Ltd & Leader Fylde Borough Council
www.fyldeexecutivecars.co.uk