Pictured above: Graham Eason of Great Escape
A Midlands car enthusiast who was a victim of the recession in
the construction industry has seen his "great escape" become the
country's largest classic car hire business.
Graham Eason and his wife Janine, from Inkberrow, purchased a
Jensen Interceptor and an Alfa Romeo Spider, which they drove at
weekends as an escape from the rigors of him working for a large
civil engineering firm.
Such was their love affair with the vehicles that they decided
to start a classic car hire business, Great Escape, as a part time
business.
However, the recession in 2009 saw Graham being made redundant
which spurred the pair to make it their full time business and, in
just three years Great Escape now boasts a fleet of over 50
vehicles operating from locations in Worcester, Suffolk, Yorkshire
and Dorset.
Graham's fleet still includes the two original models, and
boasts classic Jaguars, Rolls Royce's, Porches, Morris Minors,
Mercedes, Minis and Rovers.
Graham, said: "From what was initially a weekend 'escape' for
the pair of us, we now have the country's largest classic car
hire fleet.
"Owning a classic car is expensive and hard work. At Great
Escape we give people the chance to own a classic car for a day or
weekend. It's easy, enjoyable and more importantly affordable.
"Our growth has been built on offering choice and a total
transparency when it comes to booking our cars. We look for cars
that I know people want to hire and they're not always the obvious
choices.
"Also, the price on the website is the price you get. There are
no hidden extras such as for paying by credit card. The price is
for a full 24 hours for everyday you book and includes unlimited
mileage, insurance and breakdown."
Graham added: "The recession has also seen more people holiday
in the UK, and this 'staycation' market has also benefitted us
greatly. Our 'Midlands' locations are fantastic for transport links
and the Cotswold is just superb for driving around!
"Whilst we have bases in the Worcester, Suffolk and Dorset
triangle and Yorkshire, we attract customers from all over the
country wanting to experience their own great escape in our
cars.
"People book our cars for a variety of occasions - birthdays,
anniversaries and weddings. We also get a considerable amount of
people booking cars from their 'decade', be it the 50s, 60s, 70s,
80s and 90s.
"And of course there's no shortage of those who want a James
Bond experience behind the wheel of an Aston Martin."
And for Coronation Street fans, Graham even has a Morris
Traveller, the exact same model and colour as the one owned by Roy
and Hayley Cropper.
Graham, who is looking to expand his Great Escape business with
centres around the country, added the most popular car hired were
the Jensens.
"I love them and so do a huge number of classic car fans.
There's just something magical about these cars."