Parkers Car & Truck Rental Celebrate 75 Years

Monday, 16 September 2024 08:00

By Robert Veitch

There’s a reason Parkers Car and Truck Rental are celebrating their 75th birthday, it’s because they excel at what they do, so Robert Veitch went to visit and learn more about the vehicle rental market

Mr Parker began renting out cars from a site in Western Road, Haywards Heath in 1945, although his company was not formally registered until September 1949. When he retired, his sons, Maurice and Aubrey took up the reins.

In the 1950s car hire cost around £10 a week, and Ford Prefects occupied a significant percentage of the forecourt. Some cars came with heating, although air conditioning was via the window handle. Petrol was 45p a gallon. Driving licences didn’t contain a photograph, payment was by cash or cheque, and the paperwork was a handwritten invoice. Ledger books and box files filled the office shelves, while computers were a science fiction fantasy.

Mr Chewter (senior) was a customer of Parkers way back in 1951 when he hired a Wolseley for a holiday. A couple of years later his son David Chewter was born, and as a youngster David had a fascination with vehicles. When the Chewter family purchased their first car, young David would drive it around the field behind the family home, much to the amusement of the lady next door. Decades later, she phoned David to remind him of those youthful exploits, and to tell him she still has the toy Corgi car he used to play with, when she babysat him.

Maurice and Aubrey Parker continued to run their vehicle hire business until 1983 when they retired and then 30-year-old David Chewter, purchased the business. Back then the fleet consisted of 15 Ford Cortinas, Hillman Avengers, Peugeot 405s and the like.

Over time it evolved through various other Peugeot, Ford and Vauxhall models into the mixed fleet that it is today, with an average age of 2-3 years, ranging through hatchbacks, saloons, estates, MPVs and vans. “Whether it’s petrol or diesel, manual or automatic, ULEZ compliant, an economic runabout or luxurious driving experience, we cover all bases,” noted David.

At 75 years of age, Parkers is a company packed with experience and David remains full of enthusiasm. “We have something for everyone,” he told me. “We are the oldest vehicle rental company in Sussex. We are experienced and knowledgeable so we know what we’re doing.”

At the end of 2022 the Haywards Heath base moved to Jupps Yard on the outskirts of Wivelsfield. “We have around 180 vehicles in total,” said David, including 15 and 17-seater minibuses. There are car-derived vans, short, medium and long wheelbase transits, tippers, Luton boxes, 7.5 tonne trucks and tail lift vehicles. “Our rental rates are considerably better than the multinational rental companies, they’re more than competitive,” he revealed.

David recommends pre- booking over the Internet, or by email, or phone. After a first booking, additional bookings can be secured in, “a couple of minutes,” he said. Occasionally passers- by do turn up unannounced and are welcome to do so, although it does mean the booking process takes slightly longer.

As well as being cleaned inside and out, all vehicles undergo a series of roadside service checks: including tyre pressure, oil level, water level, light functionality, windscreen cleaning fluid and so on, between each rental. A thorough check out procedure takes place with the customer before the keys are handed over. Parkers offer on site customer parking, although David advised, “Most people are dropped off, or we can collect them from the nearest railway station.”

It was interesting to discover Parkers offer a unique airport drop off service, so customers arriving at Gatwick can be welcomed by a company representative, ready to hand over the keys to their vehicle – there’s no wasted time in queues at the airport car hire desk with Parkers!

Rental periods are from a minimum of one day and drivers need to be aged from 21 or 25 to 75, with a clean license, valid for the category of vehicle they want to hire, and one full year of driving experience. There are no mileage charges, and European rentals are also available. All rentals come with comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover.

As well as the Jupps Yard base in Wivelsfield, Parkers also operate from London Road in Burgess Hill. Both sites open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 6pm on Friday, and 8am to 12:30pm on Saturdays. Karl Burns heads up the team, with Mark Robertson and Jetmir Babiceanu based at Haywards Heath, and Mike Page, Callum Burns and Lyn Craddock based at Burgess Hill. David told me, “They offer a great deal of expertise, and excellent customer service. We’ve had such an incredibly busy summer we’ve also added Ruth Brampton to the team.”

This year, David branded one of the vans in support of www.befriended.org a Sussex wide charity creating social inclusion through friendship. As a trustee of the charity David donates the profits generated by the branded van, each time it is hired.

Turning 75 is something to celebrate, and David hinted some birthday specials might be revealed this September. With three owners in three-quarters of a century, Parkers has proved to be a remarkably long-lived and successful vehicle hire business. “We stand out,” said David, “because we have the best range of vehicles, at great prices, we’re easy to find, and it’s easy to book. Our staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and offer great customer service.” And that’s why Parkers have travelled successfully through the ages, and are still driving into the future with a smile on their face.

Parkers Car and Truck Rental
Jupps Yard, Fattings Barn, Ditchling Road, Wivelsfield, RH17 7RE
01444 413672

289 London Road,
Burgess Hill, RH15 9QU

01444 247101

www.parkers-group.co.uk

hire@parkers-group.co.uk

Parkers Car & Truck Rental Celebrate 75 Years

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