Chauffeur Services Business In Bath And Bristol Area For Sale

Business description

O long established with excellent reputation
O high quality fleet of vehicles
O very profitable – 80% corporate work
O also funerals, weddings & airport transfers
O suitable to be run from home office
O offered for relocation


LOCATION:
The business is currently located on the outskirts of Bath serving clients throughout the Bristol/Bath/North Somerset/South Gloucestershire area as well as clients in London with business in the West Country.

BUSINESS:
This prestigious chauffeur service has been providing a reliable and professional service for over 20 years from its base in Bath. The fleet of cars consists of 2 top of the range Audi A8 long wheelbase saloons, a Mercedes limousine and a 2011 registered executive minibus capable of accommodating up to 16 passengers. All vehicles are fully air conditioned with leather upholstery and driven by professional, highly trained chauffeurs.

80% of sales emanate from the corporate sector where the business has retained a considerable number of regular and valuable clients through the consistent delivery of a high quality service over many years. The balance of income stems from weddings (currently 30-40 per annum but in better economic conditions formerly as many as 200 in a year) and funerals (175 to 200 per annum) where strong relationships are held with 4 local firms of funeral directors.

Additional income stems from airport transfers, University degree ceremonies, local theatre work and through the hiring in of additional vehicles and drivers from local coach companies as required.

Private hire operator’s licences from Bath and North East Somerset Council are held for the saloons and the vendor holds a PCV operator’s licence from VOSA for the executive minibus. Dependent upon the wishes of the purchaser of the business the vendor may be prepared to retain ownership of the minibus and keep in place the PCV operator’s licence for the vehicle enabling the new owner to hire the vehicle and driver as required without having to fund the purchase of this vehicle at the outset.

The business has held ISO9001 certification in the past for its office systems and procedures and whilst the vendor has not sought to renew the accreditation upon expiry it is clear that the office remains exceptionally well organized with all necessary records and documents in good order thereby further underpinning the value of the business.

YEARS ESTABLISHED:
The business has been established for more than 20 years. Formerly based in the Bath Spa Hotel for 13 years (when the hotel formed part of the THF Group) the business was relocated to a garden office at the rear of the vendor’s private property in 2005 when the hotel changed hands.

TRADE:
Please note that if a business is VAT registered, all figures exclude VAT.
Following a change of year end, sales in the 15 month period ended 31/3/10 stood at £161,142. Draft annual accounts for the subsequent 12 month period to 31 March 2011 show turnover at £183,750.

NET PROFIT:
The fleet of vehicles is actually owned by the vendor with the annual depreciation charge assisting to reduce tax payable on profits.

It is envisaged that a new owner will opt to lease the vehicle fleet rather than to pursue a purchase and the abridged net profit for the year ended 31 March 2011 would be c £55,000 after an allowance is made for the vehicle leasing costs.

VEHICLE FLEET:
The vehicle fleet currently comprises:

2008 Audi A8 LWB
2007 Audi A8 LWB
2001 Mercedes E Class Limo
2011 Executive Minibus
REASON FOR SALE:
Retirement

STAFF:
The vendor has operated as a sole trader in recent years and works full-time in the business. He is assisted on a part-time basis by his wife who undertakes driving work and there is one full-time chauffeur and an office administrator who works three days per week.

OPENING HOURS:
Phones available 24/7 with human voice answering. The nature of the driving work, 80% of which stems from corporate clients, requires a degree of flexibility in terms of working hours.

BUSINESS PREMISES:
(all sizes are approximate & should be considered 'nominal'.)
The business is currently operated from a garden office at the rear of the vendor’s private property and is offered for relocation.

Note:
Where items of equipment and appliances are mentioned, no warranty is given or implied as to their operational condition.