Cotswold Tuk Tuk Tours December Blog
So that’s it as 2017 comes to an end. This time last year the Tuk had just arrived and was still in storage as I started to make preparations for putting in place my unique business venture. Along the way it’s been challenging and I will try to highlight some of the many memorable experiences that I have encountered.
I’ve always been a people person and I was never in doubt that if it took off I would enjoy it. It’s just so enjoyable driving people around who are having a good time. Yes sometimes they have been to the pub but generally they are just having a great day out and that makes the job so worthwhile. It’s what I set out to do and what a tour on the Tuk is all about. As I have said previously, to meet new people, see the fantastic sights of the Cotswolds, top up my suntan and get paid for it!!! Yes it’s the best job I have ever had and I must admit there is a great deal of self- pride in setting up a business that looks like it’s going to be even bigger in 2018.
Putting it into perspective now, with not receiving my licence until the end of June and getting the amount of jobs I did from minimal advertising and not being an established business far exceeded my expectation for the first season. Based on that and the bookings now being taken from people I have been recommended by tells me that I am doing a good job. Bookings for tours and weddings are already confirmed for 2018 with people coming from as far as Tyneside already booked.
I have met so many nice people, and it’s not just the customers. Everywhere I stop people just come up and want to talk…Rick is certainly very popular, so for any youngsters on the pull out there forget your Type R’s and RS’s go get yourself a Tuk!
So here are just a couple of memories -
The feeling of anticipation whilst sat in front of the Cotswold District Council panel - they decided they would like to go out for a spin around Cirencester on it. Then waiting for them to make the decision to grant Rick the licence. It would have been easier for them to say no but they had the open mindedness to give me a chance and I am eternally grateful for that.
The very first booking was a wedding for a professor of tourism and I was so nervous just because of the unknown but what a day it was, first using the Tuk to transport his family from hotels in Buford to his house and then taking the bride and groom onto the reception and then a couple more trips for anyone else who fancied a run on the Tuk.
I was always nervous of the cream tea express as if you drop people off at somewhere you suggest and the service is not to their liking then it would reflect on me. But how lucky I was to find Mr’s D Vintage Tealivery service. These two lovely ladies (Annette & Sadie) are just the best and put their heart and soul into this fantastic business. The use of them has in no doubt boosted my ratings on Trip Advisor and I very much look forward to working with them in the coming season.
There are loads more and I could go into all the times I have missed the junction, gone the wrong way but as they say what goes on tour stays on tour so I will just keep them to myself! So in preparation for the 2018 season which will be advertised to start 1st March there will be slight modifications to the current tours and also some brand new ones introduced. However 9/10 tours have been bespoke ones and so the advertised tours are really just a guide to give people a feel and price for what’s involved. I am just waiting for a few more points to clarify for the new tours so all amendments will be on the website by mid-January and have flyers delivered to many local B&B’s, hotels and pubs in February ready for the 2018 season.
It is a unique experience on the Tuk and if it’s fun you’re after then this is the tour for you. I can only ask that you read the Trip Advisor reviews on us to validate this - you get a unique experience and absolute value for money.
Please give me a wave or peep your horn if you see us out and about on the new routes!
So Happy New Year to you all and here’s to a healthy and successful 2018.
Chris