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Renault and Geely Choose UK for New Global Company Headquarters

LEVC London Bridge

Renault, the French motor giant, and Geely, the Chinese carmaker, are teaming up to establish a new global company with its headquarters in the UK. This exciting venture will see an investment of up to €7 billion ($7.7 billion; £6 billion) in the development of low-emission petrol, diesel, and hybrid engines. With approximately 19,000 employees across 17 engine factories and five research and development hubs, this partnership aims to consolidate operations, leverage synergies, and define future plans.

Despite the global motor industry’s growing focus on electric vehicles, Renault and Geely remain committed to advancing internal combustion engine (ICE) technologies. The new company, set to launch later this year, will supply engines to renowned car manufacturers such as Volvo, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. Renault’s CEO, Luca de Meo, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “We are proud to join forces with a great company like Geely… to disrupt the game and open the way for ultra low-emissions ICE technologies.” Eric Li, Chairman of Geely Holding Group, shared the vision of becoming a global leader in hybrid technologies, offering low-emission solutions to automakers worldwide.

Additionally, there are plans for Saudi energy giant Aramco, the world’s largest oil and gas company, to potentially join this partnership through a strategic investment. Aramco has been evaluating its approach to lower-carbon technologies due to its significant greenhouse gas emissions. This potential collaboration with Renault and Geely aligns with Aramco’s commitment to investing in sustainable solutions.

The Renault-Geely partnership emerges at a time when electric vehicles are gaining popularity worldwide, including in the UK. However, it is important to note that electric vehicles still tend to be more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts. Geely, headquartered in Hangzhou, China, has been actively investing in electric vehicle technology and made headlines a decade ago with its acquisition of the London Taxi Company, which was later renamed the London Electric Vehicle Company. Today, the company’s focus is on developing electric black cabs, with around 5,000 of these vehicles currently operating on the streets of London.

London taxi drivers will undoubtedly be interested in this news as it highlights the ongoing advancements in engine technologies and the commitment to low-emission solutions. The establishment of the new company’s headquarters in the UK further solidifies the country’s position as a hub for automotive innovation and development. As the global motor industry continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Renault and Geely pave the way for exciting opportunities and advancements in the automotive sector.

15 tips for Catering Vehicle Business Owners

Fish and Chips Catering Van

Introduction:

Are you a catering vehicle owner in the UK looking to set up a profitable business? Building a successful catering venture requires careful planning, dedication, and attention to detail. In this article, we will provide you with 15 valuable tips to help you navigate the challenges and maximize the potential of your catering business. Whether you’re serving delicious food from a food truck, a mobile catering van, or any other type of catering vehicle, these tips will set you on the path to success.

Define Your Niche:

Identify your target market and the type of cuisine that sets your business apart. Whether it’s gourmet burgers, fusion cuisine, or vegan delights, having a unique selling point will help attract customers and build a loyal following.

Craft an Engaging Menu:

Create a mouth watering menu that showcases your culinary expertise and appeals to your target audience. Incorporate diverse options, dietary considerations, and seasonal specials to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Location is Key:

Choose your locations strategically to maximize footfall and exposure. Consider busy street corners, office complexes, industrial parks, and local events where potential customers are likely to be present.

Build a Strong Brand:

Invest in a professionally designed logo, catchy tagline, and visually appealing vehicle wrap. A strong brand identity helps you stand out in a crowded market and leaves a lasting impression on potential customers.

Embrace Social Media:

Create accounts on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Regularly share appetizing photos, interact with followers, and promote your upcoming locations and special offers to expand your reach.

Attend Food Festivals and Events:

Participate in local food festivals, markets, and community events to introduce your culinary delights to a wider audience. These events offer excellent opportunities for networking, gaining exposure, and generating new business leads.

Prioritise Customer Service:

Deliver exceptional customer service at all times. Promptly respond to inquiries, take feedback constructively, and go the extra mile to ensure a positive experience for your customers. Word-of-mouth recommendations are invaluable for growing your business.

Monitor Costs and Profit Margins:

Keep a close eye on your costs, including ingredients, equipment, and overhead expenses. Regularly review your profit margins to ensure you’re pricing your offerings competitively while maintaining profitability.

Establish Relationships with Local Suppliers:

Forge strong relationships with local suppliers to ensure a steady supply of fresh ingredients. Sourcing locally not only supports the community but also adds an element of quality and uniqueness to your menu.

Invest in Professional Catering Insurance:

Protect your business from unforeseen risks with comprehensive catering insurance. Quotax offers reliable catering insurance coverage that safeguards your assets, equipment, and liabilities, giving you peace of mind.

Leverage Online Ordering Systems:

Offer online ordering and delivery services to cater to the growing demand for convenience. Partner with popular food delivery platforms or set up your own online ordering system to expand your customer base.

Build a Loyal Customer Base:

Implement a loyalty program to reward repeat customers. Offer incentives such as discounts, freebies, or exclusive promotions to encourage customer retention and foster a sense of belonging.

Continuously Innovate:

Regularly update your menu with new dishes, seasonal offerings, and innovative flavours to keep customers intrigued and coming back for more. Stay ahead of culinary trends and adapt to changing customer preferences.

Seek Feedback and Learn:

Encourage customers to provide feedback on their dining experience. This valuable input can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your offerings to exceed customer expectations.

Network and Collaborate:

Connect with other local businesses, such as event planners, wedding venues, or corporate offices, to explore potential collaboration opportunities. Networking opens doors to new business ventures and cross-promotion.

Conclusion:

Setting up a profitable catering business requires a combination of culinary expertise, effective marketing strategies, and a customer-centric approach. By following these 15 tips, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a successful venture. Remember, Quotax is here to support your business with reliable catering insurance coverage tailored to your unique needs. Start your journey today and delight customers with your delicious culinary creations while ensuring the protection of your valuable assets.

Comprehensive Catering Vehicle Insurance: Protecting Your Mobile Culinary Business

Catering Van Insurance

Introduction:

Are you in the business of delighting taste buds on wheels? Do you own a food truck, mobile catering van, ice cream truck, or catering delivery vehicle? If so, you understand the unique challenges that come with running a mobile culinary business. One essential aspect of ensuring your success and peace of mind is having the right insurance coverage in place. That’s where Quotax Insurance Services comes in. We specialise in providing tailored catering vehicle insurance solutions that protect your business and keep you on the move.

 

Expertise and Knowledge:

At Quotax Insurance Services, we take pride in our team’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the catering industry. We recognise the diverse risks and needs that catering businesses face on a daily basis. Our insurance experts possess specialised knowledge in catering vehicle insurance, food truck insurance, mobile catering van insurance, ice cream truck insurance, and catering delivery vehicle insurance. We understand the unique requirements and regulations specific to each type of culinary business, and we work closely with our clients to ensure their insurance needs are met.

 

Tailored Coverage Options:

We understand that every catering business is unique, and a one-size-fits-all insurance policy simply won’t cut it. That’s why we offer customisable coverage options to suit your specific needs. Whether you require commercial auto insurance for caterers, liability insurance for catering vehicles, or comprehensive coverage for your entire catering business, we have you covered. Our dedicated team will work closely with you to assess your risks, understand your operations, and provide personalised solutions that offer the protection you need.

 

Affordable and Competitive:

Running a catering business involves managing costs without compromising on quality. We understand the importance of affordability when it comes to insurance. At Quotax Insurance Services, we strive to provide catering vehicle insurance that is not only comprehensive but also cost-effective. We work with a wide network of insurance providers to offer you competitive insurance quotes for catering vehicles. Our team will help you navigate through the options, ensuring you get the best coverage at a price that fits your budget.

 

Superior Service:

At Quotax Insurance Services, we value our clients and prioritise exceptional customer service. We understand the importance of prompt and efficient assistance, especially during unexpected events or accidents. Our team is always ready to provide the support you need, whether it’s answering your insurance-related queries, assisting with claims, or updating your policy. We aim to build long-term relationships with our clients, providing ongoing support as your catering business evolves and grows.

 

Conclusion:

As a mobile culinary business owner, protecting your investment, assets, and reputation is crucial. Quotax Insurance Services specialises in catering vehicle insurance and understands the unique risks and challenges you face. With our expertise, knowledge, and tailored coverage options, we ensure that your catering business is well-protected. From food truck insurance to liability coverage and comprehensive policies, we offer affordable solutions to suit your needs. Contact us today to get a personalised insurance quote and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your catering business is covered.

Please call our team today for your Catering Insurance requirements or visit our Catering Insurance page.

0208 691 9691

Office Closure for Christmas Party

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Jubilee Bank Holiday

Please note that our offices will be closed on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd of May for the Jubilee Bank Holiday

From lost jobs to increased health burdens, COVID-19 has had many effects across the world. One of the pandemic's most notable effects is the shortage of lorry drivers, Quotax explores.

Jobs open up for lorry drivers

COVID-19 delayed over 30,000 tests for new drivers in the UK. Also, the government halted driving lessons to help control the spread of the virus, leading to a shortage of drivers in the country. 

However, COVID-19 is not solely to blame. Brexit has also contributed to the reduction of lorry and truck drivers in the country. Thanks to Brexit, companies have reported that over 15,000 European heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers left the country last year. 

Previously, drivers were required to have a community license and a standard international operator’s license to travel across EU and EAA countries. However, with the UK leaving the EU, HGV drivers could not use the EU Community License anymore. Some left the country to seek employment elsewhere, while others left the driver’s job. 

Regardless of the cause of the HGV driver shortage, the effect is being felt all over the country. Currently, there is a shortage of more than 65,000 trained drivers across the country, affecting the speed and cost of delivery of products. 

Some products are not getting to shelves in time. With driver shortage, it takes more time to transport some products from one point to the other. As a result, perishable goods are going bad, resulting in losses to farmers and other suppliers.

We expect to have some empty shelves in the supermarkets or food stores in the coming months. The problem is even becoming worse with the hospitality businesses having been opened recently. Also, the shortage of drivers is likely to affect the prices of certain products. 

What is the way forward?

In late June, the UK government held a meeting with logistic groups, retailers, and wholesalers. The main aim was to discuss the driver shortage and find solutions to the impending crisis.

Following the meeting, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) outlined several potential solutions, including:

  • Prioritise driving tests for HGV drivers
  • Add HGV drivers on Government’s Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation List
  • Minimise the restrictions on HGV drivers’ working hours
  • Introduce other training schemes
  • Give seasonal visas to qualified HGV drivers
  • Launch better working conditions for drivers. 

The country is currently facing a summer of food shortage, and the government will do everything possible to solve this problem.

What does this mean to lorry drivers?

Increased pay

Although it is a nightmare for most UK citizens, the shortage of drivers could be a jackpot for the current and upcoming HGV drivers. Currently, HGV driver’s earnings range from £18,500 to £35,000. If the shortage persists, drivers would undoubtedly receive a pay rise to help lure more drivers into the sector. Some companies have already begun increasing the drivers’ pay across the country.  

Better working conditions

Drivers are also likely to receive better working conditions under the country’s reformed rules. As stated by Defra, the restrictions on HGV drivers are likely to be minimised in the coming months. 

There is a job opening for foreigners

 If you’re an HGV driver and have always dreamed of working in the UK, this could be the chance for you. Among the suggested solutions includes putting the drivers on the official shortage occupation list to make it easier for foreign drivers to come to the UK.

The driver shortage is becoming a norm in the UK – and that is a problem. The number of empty shelves in supermarkets is increasing, and the cost of products is going up. The UK government understands this, which is why it held a meeting with wholesalers and retailers to discuss potential solutions. Defra suggests enhancing the HGV drivers’ working conditions and making it easy for foreign drivers to work in the UK in a bid to entice new drivers.

Get in touch

Here at Quotax, we offer an extremely broad range of insurance policies, including various truck and lorry policies, which you can view here.

Need black cab insurance for a short trip, or are you in need of long term cover? We have you covered here at Quotax Insurance. Take a look at our various insurance options here.  Quotax are committed to bringing you the best and most competitively priced in the market, offering a 5-star service to all of our customers. 

Important Notice – Covid-19 Update

Please note: In response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing all we can to protect both our staff and our clients from face to face contact.

With this in mind, please only visit our premises where absolutely necessary and it is a government requirement that unless medically exempt a face mask must be worn. Hand sanitation is also available on entry to our office.

Please rest assured, we are working hard to support our valued customers during this difficult time. Please feel free to contact us in all the following ways;

  • Contacting us via phone: 0208 691 9691
  • You can send us documents to us via our business WhatsApp on: 07853 411043
  • You can contact our administration team (and forward requested documents) via email on: admin@quotax.net
  • You can speak with our experts on our online chat facility on our website: www.quotax.net
  • You can request a call back from one of our team on our website: www.quotax.net

If you have had a claim please contact our claims line on 0203 928 7337. If you would like to contact your insurer directly, a list of our insurers’ claims numbers can be found at www.quotax.net/how-to-claim/

Thank you for your business, we assure you of our best attention at all times.

Elderly man in wheel chair being lifted into a minibus

Why Minibuses Are Essential For Care Homes

Minibuses associated with care homes across the UK provide greater flexibility for residents, including wheelchair accessibility for those who require additional mobility support when travelling places. Covid-19 has highlighted the use of minibuses within care homes due to the elderly needing to travel safely. Minibuses are used for the safe travel of residents and carers for leisure trips and essential journeys, including to hospitals for medical assessments.

Why Is It Essential?

As we get older, being able to get out and about into society is a vital way to stay part of the local community and to access local amenities. Although free local bus travel is a lifeline for the elderly who do not drive, for some this isn’t an option as those who live rurally and have no local bus service available to them still need to be able to travel to necessary places. Additionally, some have mobility issues which may prevent them from using public transport due to needing extra assistance while being on their own.

This is why minibuses are so important as many cater to those in care homes, including wheelchair-accessible minibus services and befriending schemes. This is where the befriender is a travelling companion for an elderly person, and can assist them around the community and on and off the minibus.

Elderly man in wheel chair being lifted into a minibus

Why minibuses are essential for care homes

Minibuses are not only great for residents at care homes, but also the carers themselves. Some are designed to provide excellent accessibility for the disabled, enabling carers to carry out their daily tasks with ease, ensuring the resident is safe and comfortable at all times. Any trips away from the care home are hassle-free, allowing the resident to make both essential and non-essential journeys with ease.

Not being able to travel at all can greatly impact the mental wellbeing of people, causing further issues in the long run. This is why minibuses are set in place to help people who are in their later years commute to places, allowing them to enjoy life and be able to experience daily activities.

Transport services will usually take residents to these locations:

  • To attend GP or hospital appointments
  • To go to the shops (either with or without a companion or carer)
  • To visit a loved one
  • To attend lunch clubs or day centres to join in in activities
  • To get out and about e.g. a walk in the park

How We Can Help?

Here at Quotax, we understand that not all minibuses are the same, you may have a wheelchair lift or taken seats out to accommodate medical equipment. We have a number of specialist care home minibus Insurance schemes, please give our experts a call so they can provide cover to suit your needs.

Why not get in touch today to find out about our minibus insurance and our policies, call us for a quote on 0208 691 9691. We will find the best insurance and requirements for the best price. Find out more about our services here.

London Taxi Cab driving through the streets of London

TFL Changes – A Disaster for the Taxi Trade

The future of London’s iconic black cabs could be under threat due to the COVID pandemic.

As thousands of workers and tourists stay away from the capital, and Transport for London (TFL) continue to close large numbers of roads, this has had a detrimental effect on the black cab trade.

Many are struggling to cope with these changes, putting the industry under major pressure.

In this blog, we will cover what some of these changes are and how you can help to challenge these updates to ensure that London black cab drivers have a secure future.

Car-free streets

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TFL) has closed a large number of roads in London, causing havoc for black cabs.

The aim of this is to encourage more people to walk and cycle safely during lockdown. Unfortunately, this has greatly impacted London taxi drivers, restricting their business heavily due to the inaccessibility they have to a large number of roads in and around central London.

David Kurten, a London Assembly Member had asked the mayor, “Do you

London Taxi Cab driving through the streets of London

TFL Changes – A disaster for the taxi trade

accept the more roads that are inaccessible to taxis, the fewer people will use taxis, therefore, the taxi trade will continue to reduce in size?”. Sadiq Khan refuted this claim.

With the large number of roads that have become closed for public transport and taxis, more and more people are encouraged to avoid using these methods of transportation.

Grant Davis, Chairman of the London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) shares our concerns ‘’The LTN closures in London have been met with dismay from the licensed taxi trade and local residents alike and this has seen widespread protests at Town Halls and City Hall. For the Cab trade the road closures are another nail in our coffin. Whilst the PM tells everyone that it is vital to get back to work, for the cab trade these road closures (for the cab trade) is like turning up at the office to go to work but the front door has been locked. Unless common sense is resumed pretty quick, these closures will only aid our demise.’’

Pedestrian only areas

The increase of many pedestrian-only areas in London has also caused concern for disabled passengers who are unable to be dropped off right to the door. As black cabs provide a 100% wheelchair accessible service, some vulnerable passengers no longer have the hassle-free taxi service they once had available to them.

This is greatly affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people, so it is imperative that voices are heard and changes are made to not only keep the public safe, but to allow black cab drivers to carry out their services with as little interruption as possible.

What can you do to help?

Many London black cab drivers must do their bit to ensure that the industry can survive during this time, whilst still ensuring all passengers remain safe during the pandemic.

We ask that you write to your local MP to express how these updates have affected you. This will provide the vital evidence needed to encourage change.

Contact Your Local MP

If you head to the members of parliament website and find your local MP, you can email them using this template.

If you are still in operation and are looking to renew your black cab insurance, then contact us to receive a free competitive quote here: https://www.quotax.net/london-taxi-insurance/