Deluxe Private Hire - Delivering Excellence Elegantly (since 2006)
The beginning. June 2006.
Having returned to the UK from world travels, I became a private hire driver while deciding what to do or where to go next. Nearly as quickly as I'd begun, I saw a hole in the market and began planning my next move. I moved around private hire firms in Wellingborough studying the market and at each firm, mentioned, in passing, what I had seen and what I was planning. Each firm, in their own way laughed at me saying things like, "it'll never work" and "Baldry's already have that market". So, wanting a piece of the action, I went out and bought my first Jaguar, my car of choice for a new, prestigious private hire company, 'Deluxe Private Hire'.
Addendum March 2011 - Since writing this page, many people have asked, "Why Jaguar? Why not another brand?". Look around! Everybody and anybody can get a 'cab' from anywhere at any time. Look again. Everybody and anybody uses a Mercedes, a good brand but they are such a common car and, in my opinion, run of the mill transport. I couldn't be seen as a 'run of the mill' transport provider so Mercedes was thrown out of the window as a bad idea. There are some very good Japanese vehicles around but again, all too common. My choice had to be something different, something that would impress before it arrived, during the hire and remembered as a 'Wow factor' at the destination. Deluxe was to offer 'top end' transport and so the choice had to be something that stood out from the rest of the crowd. There's little choice left from this point on but for my all time dream cars, Jaguar (coming in at number two) and Rolls Royce (at number one). Oh, what a target to set but I did and presto, I made it happen. There are a few companies that offer Jaguars as private hire cars but still not enough for them to be regarded as 'common or run of the mill'. In fact, most people who book with me as first time users are very impressed with the car (and especially the service) and return, not as prestige seekers but as satisfied customers having experienced a remarkably unique service in an all round, true blue, all time, great British vehicle.
Nearly as soon as I'd started to use the Jaguar as a round town car, most other drivers were talking amongst themselves, laughing and forecasting my downfall, the day I'd have to quit and sell the Jag for anything I could get for it. Nobody ever took time to ask me of my background, about how I had set up and run new courier companies in Asia, how I had no formal training and went on to own my own schools in Borneo, How I qualified as a teacher in Brunei, how I had been called on as a trouble-shooter for courier companies world wide! (to mention just a few accomplishments)
In 2007, I broke away from the hum-drum daily taxi routines and went 100% independent. Having raised enough (spare) money, I bought a lease on a fish and chip shop for my wife. I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she told me to surprise her so I did. I bought myself my first Rolls Royce.
One year later I changed the old Rolls for a newer Bentley Turbo R, a much cleaner, faster car. Weddings became a main part of the business and remain so to date. By mid 2008, the Jag had gone and had been replaced by the Jaguar XJ, my second, all time dream car was mine, the first being the Rolls Royce. To have accomplished both within three years was something else.
These cars stayed with me while I sought new contracts and customers. One by one, they all came from as far as Boston and LA, USA to regular visitors from Asia, Europe, Australia, yes, from all over the world and from all walks of life. Weddings poured through the door and customers lined up to be shuttled between homes and airports, airports and work places.
In 2010, The Bentley Turbo R, (supplied by Hillier Hill of Olney) was retired and replaced by an almost new, Bentley Arnage in silver to match the Jaguar. The Bentley, currently being licensed for private hire by East Northants council, serves as Wellingborough's most prestigious wedding car, Rushden & Wellingborough's most prestigious TAXI and my personal car until my next acquisition of a matching Silver Seraph Rolls Royce.
Together, my cars and I have travelled many miles through-out the English mainland and visited some rather fine establishments and with some rather fine people too. A recent trip out was to Buckingham Palace with a gentleman of the British Foreign & Commonwealth
Office and his family to collect his MBE, awarded personally by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.
So now I boast, no, not just top end Jags and Prestigious Bentleys but I go to places where the others only aspire and all in under five years. (written/uploaded March 2011)
Plans are well under way to 'up-grade' the existing stock and services. I'm not just sitting around, waiting for the next call but if I can help you, whether for business or on a personal level, please don't hesitate to call and ask. Deluxe delivers excellence with elegance and my prices leave everyone smiling.
ADDENDUM OCT 2011
Our Jaguar XJ Executive has been updated to the Jaguar XJ Long Wheel Base Sovereign. This newer car sports TV, DVD, 8 speaker stereo, curtained rear windows, reclining rear seats, heated rear seats, in fact, this car has more to offer than our Bentley Arnage. This newer Jaguar also has picnic tables and power sources for the business person on the move. Where as this might be a selling point for our 'better than average' service, we won't be charging a penny more for all of these extras.
