Transport Hire

Being headquartered here in Cardiff, we at Anything for Hire are always eager to find out of what is going on in the local hire market. And, this week, we were thrilled to learn that popular bike hire firm, NextBike, we introducing new bicycles to the city.

Whilst already having a presence in Cardiff, Nextbike now look to offer electric bikes to their Welsh customers, doubling the size of their fleet as a result.

Arriving in Cardiff last year, the residents and tourists of the area have hired NextBikes hundreds and thousands of times, proving particularly popular amongst the students of Cardiff. Covering 570km by 390,000 customers, Cardiffians make up a huge 51% of the brand’s customer base.

But, with the addition of electric bikes, the brand can attract and serve a whole new demographic of riders.

According to the company, they are particularly interested in accommodating disabled people, providing more adaptive bicycles that can serve their needs.

Due to the expansion, another 500 bikes will join the current fleet, requesting an additional 38 docs to house them.

A spokesperson from Pedal Power, the firm contracted to run the scheme in Cardiff, said:

“We don’t have enough bikes in the city at the moment. We need more and that’s why we’re getting more.

“We’re getting more people riding – people who have not ridden for a long time and now are. That’s the biggest success.”

But, the company are aware that there may well be some bumps along the way. Apparently, staff are experiencing many challenges when running the scheme. From an increased number of vandalisms reported to the bikes needing constant repairs due to the amount in which they are used, scaling up the number of bikes will mean scaling up the operation as a whole.

Let us know what you think. Is Cardiff ready for another 500 rental bikes? Leave your comments with us.

As you will know by looking through our website, you can hire pretty much anything nowadays. From chocolate foundations to chairs and even bars for the garden, the rental market is just as weird as it is wonderful.

And, this week, it just got a whole lot more exciting!

It appears that the iconic Spice World bus made famous by the Spice Girls in the late 90s has re-emerged, being turned into an Airbnb! Adorned with the iconic union artwork, the full-size London bus can be rented by groups in need of accommodation, suitable for three guests at a time.

Completely gutted and renovated, the bus will be open for guests in time for the big Spice Girls Reunion. Taking place at Wembley Stadium in June, the bus will no doubt be in demand amongst die-hard Spice Girls fans in need of central London accommodation.

Suzanne Godley, the brains behind this incredible project, sees this business venture as a labour of love, being a huge fan of the British girlband since her childhood.

“My parents were subjected to my tone-deaf performance as Baby Spice, and I must have watched the Spice World move hundreds of times,” she said.

‘And while I have grown up over the years, I don’t think I’ve ever grown out of my love for them.”

The bus will be located at Wembley Park on the nights of the concert, being of close proximity to the concert venue.

“We’ve worked hard over the past few months to turn the bus into a home, in keeping with its legacy, and I’m so excited to open it up to the public with the support of Airbnb,” Godley continued.

Let us know what you think. Would you hire this Spice World bus to spend the night in?

Cardiff is a city that is understandably close to our hearts, being the place where the Anything for Hire journey begun! This is why we are always thrilled to hear news of the city’s hire industry, eager to keep our ear to the ground and stay abreast the city’s incredible business community and goings on.

Just this week, we learn that Cardiff and Vale’s health board will now permit GPs under them to prescribe free bike hire from nextbike to patients. This will mainly be for individuals that require more exercise in order to lose weight.

Offering 6-month prescriptions, GPs will promote the nextbike business as a whole; a bike rental scheme whereby residents and tourists can rent dockless bikes in and around the city.

Seeming to tick all the boxes for health care providers, Public health consultant, Dr Tom Porter, said it was “one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of ill health while building your cardiovascular fitness”.

The pilot scheme will first be rolled out in two surgeries; Landsdowne Surgery and Fairwater Health Centre. Those who are prescribed will be given a unique code which will provide them with unlimited 30-minute hires completely free of charge.

GP Dr Karen Pardy said: “Whilst we are aware of the many benefits of exercise for our patients, people are sometimes reluctant to engage.

“nextbike on prescription allows people to have a go at cycling around Cardiff and realise how this can help to support their overall wellbeing.”

Cardiff council’s cabinet member for health, Susan Elsmore, said the city was “incredibly fortunate and proud to offer this opportunity”.

According to statistics, regular cycling can cut an individual’s chance of dying from heart disease by a huge 50%. Focusing on these impressive stats, local GPs are understandably excited to see nextbikes being utilised in this way.

As it stands, Cardiff is in possession of 500 bikes that are dotted around 27 different sites. These conduct around 10,000 trips a week, credited for helping Cardiff reduce its carbon footprint and promote healthy modes of transport.

Popular car rental firm, Hertz, has this week announced details of their latest service. Honing in on the British theme, the brand has launched ‘The British Collection’ in the UK. Putting our country’s wonderful cars of a pedestal, the collection comprises of stunning Jaguars and Land Rover marques.

Available at three different locations, London Heathrow Airport, Marble Arch and Edinburgh Airport, this best-of-British collection will give its customers the option to experience the luxury of some of the world’s greatest cars. These will include popular models such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar F Pace, E Pace, XE and XF.

Those that decide to rent any of these cars will also be given a free additional driver on their policy and unlimited mileage, with Hertz eager to showcase the wonders of these vehicles.

But, getting behind the wheel isn’t even the best bit! When waiting to collect these British masterpieces, customers will be able to wait in a dedicated lounge; one filled with UK-inspired furnishings. Offering a relaxing ambience, these unique lounges are said to offer a heightened ‘premium experience’ for Hertz customers to enjoy.

Richard Davies, Country Manager for Hertz UK, says:

“The unveiling of The British Collection and dedicated lounges represents Hertz’s continuing commitment to providing its customers with unique and exclusive tailored experiences. The British Collection is a new, upmarket offering, built with creativity and luxury in mind. Working with premium British brands and talent, we’ve been able to build an adventure from branch to the road.”

While something new and exciting for us, this is not the first time Hertz has singled out a country’s car making triumphs. Just last year, the Italian side of the business launched the “Selezione Italia” range, promoting the country’s stunning vehicles to residents and tourists alike.

Let us know what you think, would a posh waiting area and free millage persuade you to book with Hertz?

The cycle hire industry has been one of complete upheaval in recent months. From councils ditching programs to providers entering administration, is appears the service tipped to revise our transport industry is going south.

Just this week we hear the news that Reading’s bike hire scheme, ReadyBike, is coming to halt.

The bike rental company has apparently “struggled to cover the costs of operating the scheme” with “current factors” having “significantly impacted” the business.

While having been offering bike hire deals in the town since 2014, ReadyBike is struggling to maintain momentum in Reading, failing to sign sponsorship deals to fund the day-to-day running of the business. Initially funded by the Government, it has now been reported that Reading Borough Council has been spending close to £10,000 a month to keep the business running.

No longer viable for the Council’s residents or tourists, the scheme has no option but to end. However, it is not all doom and gloom for the people of Reading, with the Council this week announcing that it was in talks with another bike rental provider that is willing to take over from ReadyBike.

Tim Caswell, from Hourbike Limited, the company that manages the bikes, said:

“It is with some sadness that Hourbike has had to give notice from operating ReadyBike.”

Bike hire will stop being offered as of March 31st with all of the vehicles to be held in storage.

Bike hire services

If you are looking to hire bikes, motorcycles, wedding cars or any other mode of transport, then you have certainly landed on the correct website. At Anythingforhire.com, we are the nation’s on-stop-shop for transport hire, providing a platform whereby users can search, compare and book services like bike hire, limo hire and wedding car hire in a matter of minutes.