All good things must come to an end
All good things must end, and the time is now right for the covers to come down on Cotswold Tuk Tuk Tours for the final time.
The original idea came from watching the tuk tuk chase on Mrs Browns Boys (the film) with one of my daughters back in 2014. We bought Rick the blue tuk tuk in 2016, and after a lot of perseverance, I then started our business back in June 2017 – after taking the Licensing Committee out for a spin in Cirencester. We are thankful to Cotswold District Council being very open minded and allowing me to have a private hire licence for our first tuk, Rick (named after Rick Parfitt of Status Quo).
After establishing the tour routes, wedding bookings and school proms we went on to buy our second tuk in 2018, Marion (named after my mum and very aptly a wedding tuk tuk – Marry-on). At this point it was necessary to get a second driver for weddings and Hannah my wife was duly trained by myself!
It has been so much fun, and we have met many lovely people from all over the world, and I know some of you will be sad that we are finishing, but we have come to a crossroads in our life where we need to take a different direction. We have now achieved our goal of having a Spanish bolthole and want to spend more time together as a family. I have now got a job working for a chauffeur company, and also doing some tours with them – so keeping my hand in from the luxury of a car with heated seats, rather than a chilly tuk tuk. Hannah has recently launched her own freelance business within HR. Both of these give us flexibility in our lives to choose when we work and allow precious family time.
I’d like to thank so many people who’ve helped us along the way. There are too many to mention but you all know who you are, and thank you very much indeed.
· Cotswold District Council
· Rob and Charlie the Mechanics at Vicks Garage
· Dowleys Garage
· Karen the Accountant
· All the tearooms and afternoon tea locations: Cotswold Teaset, Mrs D’s, Lords of the Manor
· Wedding Planners
· Sudeley Castle
· All the pubs, but especially the Royal Oak in Burford (best pies in the Cotswolds)
· Venues we have visited
· And most importantly every single person (and pooch) who has ever travelled on the Tuk.
There is never an easy time to stop, but we have now stopped the tours; and Rick is up for sale. That means Marion can do weddings until May 2025. If you would like to book in for your wedding please email cotswoldtuktuktours@gmail.com
Although we are finishing, there is no plan to sell Cotswold Tuk Tuk as a going concern – it’s something that we created, nurtured and feel it’s us that should end it.
Thank you again to everyone who has been part of Cotswold Tuk Tuk, and wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy and healthy new year.
Chris (and Hannah)
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