EcoCycleAdventures, an adventure tourism company, is expanding and opening a new office in Hexham, with support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
The new premises, scheduled to open in May at Hexham Railway Station, will offer package tours and transport to and from cycle routes across the UK and the local area.
EcoCycleAdventures will also be launching a new electric bike rental service and additional tour routes, which are expected to double its current annual growth rate from 20 per cent to 40 per cent by 2020.
The move comes after EcoCabs, owners of EcoCycleAdventures, acquired local taxi business Batey’s Taxis in November 2017 with the support of a six-figure funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
The new office will also operate as a booking office for EcoCabs’ taxi business.
Matthew Kirkby, managing director, Ecocabs, said: “Northumberland has a growing reputation as a tourist hotspot.
“Our acquisition of Batey’s Taxis with Lloyds Bank’s support was a strategic move and continues to pay dividends.
“As well as providing a convenient booking location for our taxi business, the new office will help us make the most of demand for local tours. It enables us to offer a greater diversity of services with easy access to attractions such as Hadrian’s Wall and Northumberland National Park.
“We’re also planning to launch new tour routes showcasing some of the best of local hospitality by linking up with other providers such as cafés and restaurants.”
Dean Whitlie, relationship manager, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “EcoCabs is an innovative North East business that has worked hard to develop a wide range of services to support both its local community and the local tourism sector. The new office at Hexham Railway Station will give EcoCabs a strong foundation for future growth.
“We’re by the side of companies like EcoCabs to help them release their full potential and have committed to lending up to £700m to firms across the North East in 2019.”
EcoCabs was founded in 2006 and offers a range of passenger transport services across the North East and the wider UK through its fleet of 33 vehicles. The business operates with an emphasis on sustainability, with 75% of its core taxi fleet consisting of hybrid vehicles.
EcoCabs’ acquisition of Batey’s Taxis also added an in-house fleet maintenance facility to EcoCabs’ business, as well as bringing on five new employees and five new vehicles.