Two friends have teamed up on a new business journey to offer luxury on the road for staycationers.
Ali Bell, owner of Gekko Creative Ltd, in North Yorkshire, and Greg Bradley, whose clients of his Darlington-based antiques packing and shipping business include Sotheby’s and aristocracy, decided to join forces following a boys’ cycling weekend in a motor home.
“It was shabby and we’re of an age now where we want a bit of luxury so that gave us the idea of investing in a motor home to hire but aimed at the higher end of the market,” explained Ali.
Together, the friends, who met at college 20 years ago, have created Trek Motorhome Hire and invested in a Fiat Adria model in which five people can travel and up to six can sleep in comfort.
“Motorhomes are expensive and it’s a big financial commitment if you’re only going to use it a handful of times a year. By hiring you get to go when you want, or get a taste for it before you buy, without having it sit on the drive for most of the year,” said Ali.
“When we were looking at the choices on the market we knew we wanted to offer something up-market with luxury features and a really good design that will give us longevity,” added Greg.
They believe the range of locations from the Yorkshire Dales to Northumberland, the Yorkshire coast to the new UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lake District, and even the route of the Tour de Yorkshire, will satisfy most holidaymakers, although the motorhome can also be hired for trips to Ireland, the continent and the rest of the UK.
The Brit Stops guide offers suggestions of places to park overnight including pub car parks and farm shops as well as campsites.
Available to hire all year round, the motorhome comes with a power shower, two fixed double beds, a fully fitted kitchen, a TV with Freeview channels and a bike rack. A digital screen allows monitoring of water and power usage as well as controls for the heating and lighting systems.
A ‘garage’ at the back provides secure storage, there is an awning and furniture for outdoor dining, a welcome pack of essentials and full breakdown cover.
“With all the appliances, everything you need for cooking, a shower room and two fixed double beds you never really need to leave the motorhome. It’s completely self-contained which makes it work equally well for couples, families and groups of friends, for entertaining or for cosy nights playing games at the dining table,” said Greg.
Forecasting a growth in the popularity of motorhome holidays, Ali and Greg are already looking ahead to expanding their vehicle range in the future.
No special licence is needed to drive the motorhome and full instructions are given before departure. Booking are being taken now at wwwtrekmotorhomehire.co.uk or by calling 07852 551797.