Sophisticars Prestige cars & Limousines for hire

Welcome to Sophisticars News
Setting the standard for the rest to follow!
European Limousine Operator and Chauffeur of the year finalists 2006/2007/2008.

Where you'll find the latest information on the North West's most Sophisticated Limousine Company.

July 2008 Convoy of Happiness 2008	EVEN torrential downpours could not dampen the spirits when the Convoy of Happiness set off for Blackpool. The trip for seriously ill children from across the north west took 160 children, parents and carers for the annual day of thrills by the seaside. The fleet of 20 limousines was flanked by motorcycle outriders from Rising Moon Bike Club and given a police escort when it set off from Ashton Moss, Ashton under Lyne. The Convoy of Happiness is organised by limousine companies from across the north west, who foot the bill for the day. Everyone feared the worse as torrential rain poured down during the drive to the resort, slowed down to 30mph on the M61 but by the time the fleet arrived the sun had put in a welcome appearance. "The thing about this is it is not just going to Blackpool, it's going to Blackpool in style in a stretch limousine and it's amazing to see the smiles on the children's faces. "The day is made possible by the kindness of limo drivers from across the north west and I'd like to thank them all." As soon as the vehicles arrived back in Greater Manchester plans for next year's trip were already being drawn up.
May 2008 New Black Limousine is Licensed and available for hire	Midnight is another amazing stretched Limousine, by day a sophisticated Black Limousine with chrome glitter by night a real party machine with the added wow factor! Midnight's glitter shimmers in the sun during the day and sparkles at night, a truly unique Limousine. Midnight is fitted with 2 flat screens, surround sound, , D.V.D player, , Air Conditioning/Climate Control, Satellite Navigation, Separate Light Levels to suit your mood, Fibre Optics, Neon Lights, Lasers, Ice Chests, Champagne Buckets, , Walnut inlays and Black Leather Interior (J Seating). This sophisticated Black Stretched Limousine with Chrome wheel arches, Blue Neon Pillar lights, and Privacy windows, really does make heads turn, proving our vehicles truly are a step above the rest. This vehicle is already proving to be very popular for weddings, proms, and every other occasion where the extra wow factor is needed!
April 2008 New Black Limousine added to the Fleet	Sophisticars latest limousine has arrived and is currently being fitted with the latest flat screens, dvd player, surround sound stereo and extra party lights. The latest limousine has been custom painted high shine black with flecks of chrome glitter to give that sophisticated look.
March 2008 Additional Limousine ordered to keep up with the high demand!	Sophisticars has ordered yet another Stretched Limousine to keep up with the high demand for high quality Limousines in Preston, Leyland, Chorley and throughout Lancashire. . Another Lincoln Towncar Stretched Limousine has been ordered to keep in line with the fleet and is due to arrive shortly.
November 2007 Limousine & Car servicing and repairs department open.	Sophisticars has joined forces with P.C. Garage Services. P.C. Garage Services have always serviced and repaired Sophisticars fleet of Limousines and executive vehicles. With over 20 years of experience specialising in 4x4, Executive cars, Limousines, Vans and Sports cars P.C. Ga rage Services is the only choice. P.C Garage services not only provide mobile repairs but are now based in our Longton depot providing us with an experienced mechanic on hand 24/7 ! Please contact us to arrange your next service or repair including air conditioning & engine diagnostics.
October 2007 Longton Depot Open	Sophisticars have opened a new depot in Longton, Preston all vehicles are now kept secure an undercover. You can make an appointment to view all our vehicles and discuss the details of your booking over a coffee. Our new depot in Longton is ideally situated helping us to reach all areas quickly and easily such as Preston, Leyland, Chorley, Manchester, Liverpool and many more lancashire towns.
October 2007	Sophisticars joined over 100 limousines to break the world record for the longest convoy of limousines, over a mile of limousines cruised the Blackpool promenade raising over £30,000 for Charity. Half of the money raised by Sophisticars was given to the MRI Scanner Appeal and half given to Rock FM's Charity Help a Local Child.
September 2007 (News article) Lancashire Evening Post It's a long shot at world record	Passers-by may think their eyes are deceiving them as a mighty convoy of limousines flood a famous promenade. Dozens upon dozens of luxury stretched motors from as far as Scotland and London will descend on the Lancashire seaside resort of Blackpool next month as it plays host to an exciting world record attempt. The National Limousine and Chauffeur Association has asked its members and non-members to donate their limousines and chauffeurs for a "once in a lifetime experience" as they attempt to have the longest convoy of limousines down the Golden Mile through the Illuminations to raise money for charity. There will be limousines of all colours, sizes and shapes, including a record-breaking Ferrari Limo. Phil Hayes, owner of Leyland-based company Sophisticars, is one of the organisers and two of his silver limousines will be taking part in the world record attempt at 8pm on Monday October 8. He said: "It's going to be massive. "I'm going to be driving one myself and one of our other drivers Lee Rilet is donating his time to drive one for the night." More than 200 limousines from across the UK are expected to take part in the event, with the NLCA hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity. The limousines will meet on Clifton Drive North, facing the Golden Mile, where the officials will measure the length of convoy. At the end of the mile the Mayor of Blackpool will collect the money. Half of the money raised will go to Blackpool's MRI Scanner appeal leaving the other 50% to be split between the areas from which the limousines operate. Members of the public interested in being part of the event can contact their local limousine company to see if they are taking part in the Golden Mile of Limousines or contact the NLCA via the website www.nlca.co.uk. The public is asked for a minimum donation of £25 per person to travel in the limousines.
September 2007 (News article) Leyland Guardian Golden Mile of Limos	A Leyland limo company is hoping to play its part in breaking a world record attempt in aid of charity. Sophisticars, run by Leyland businessman Phil Hayes, is joining other National Limousine & Chauffeur Association members in trying to record the longest convoy of stretched limousines along Blackpool's Golden Mile through the illuminations on the 8th October. The money raised is being split between Blackpool's MRI Scanner appeal and other local charities across the county. Members of the public can get involved by paying a minimum donation of £25 per person to travel in the limos through the illuminations, working out at £200 per vehicle. Companies can also sponsor limousines. Sophisticars have already been promised over £500 in donations but need more people from South Ribble and Chorley to sign up and other limousine operators to donate their vehicles. To get involved contact Phil Hayes at Sophisticars on 01772 467530 or via e-mail at phil@sophisticars.co.uk
September 2007	Sophisticars is helping the NLCA to organise a world record attempt to have the longest convoy of limos through Blackpool illuminations whist raising money for Blackpool's MRI scanner appeal and local charities.
August 2007 (News article) Limo whisks couple to special party	A devoted couple who have endured terrible health problems have been treated to a dream surprise wedding anniversary party. Penwortham couple Leonard Ball and his wife Dorothea could not believe their eyes when a Silver Stretched Limousine from Sophisticars pulled up outside their home to whisk them off to a special 60th anniversary celebration. Both in their 80s and suffering from health problems, they had been very excited to see a a vehicle from Sophisticars at their granddaughter's wedding earlier this year, but had not for a moment envisaged they too would experience the same VIP treatment. The great-grandparents, from Queens Court Avenue, Penwortham, were overwhelmed by their surprise. Dorothea, 83, who has suffered eight heart attacks, six strokes and undergone a triple by-pass, said: "It was the nicest thing anybody has done all our lives. My husband has never enjoyed himself as much. "It was a surprise, it was marvelous. I'll never forget this as long as I live." Leonard, 83, suffers from angina and has undergone several stomach operations. The retired labourer told how it was their first time in a limousine and added: "It was great, we didn't have a clue!" It was love at first sight when the couple met at Preston's Avenham Park 60 years ago. Their children, Leonard junior, Dorothea, Margery and William, all attended the party at Dorothea's home in Castle Mount, Fulwood
July 2007	Sophisticars has been nominated by it's customers in the European Limousine Awards for the second year running!. Through the nominations and comments of our customers Sophisticars a finalist for European Limousine Operator of the year! Maintaining our position in the top 20 limousine companies for 2 years running. Proving Sophisticars is simply the best choice for limousine and prestige car hire!
January 2007 Sophisticars joins forces with top Travel Agents	Sophisticars have joined forces with Freedom Travel Longton to offer all customers discounted packages on airport & Hotel transfers when booking their Holiday, Honeymoon, Hen/Stag party etc through Freedom Travel Longton. Freedom travel Longton is an excellent travel agents offering great deals on Flights, Ferries, Holidays, Hen & Stag Parties and even Weddings Abroad for further information call Freedom Travel Longton on 01772 615151
January 2007	The National Limousine Association has been updated and reorganized and is renamed the National Limousine & Chauffeurs Association. Sophisticars has renewed its membership.
February 2007 (News Article) Leyland Guardian Leyland chauffeur gears up for rich and famous passengers	A Leyland businessman who ferries the rich and famous in his luxury limousines has been given a double boost. Philip Hayes, of Westwood Road, Leyland, runs Sophisticars, which specialises in chauffeur driven and executive hire limousine services. He was awarded a contract to provide executive hire for the Variety Club Children's Charity throughout the North West. The charity holds regular fundraising functions which celebrities attend. Mr Hayes, 27, has a double reason to celebrate after South Ribble Borough Council's licensing committee agreed to bend its normal rules to allow him to use his personal vehicle – a Volvo S80 Executive T6 sedan – to ferry the Variety Club's guests in luxury and style Vehicles over four years aren't normally eligible for such a taxi licence, so the businessman drove his to the meeting so the committee members could inspect it for themselves. After a straightforward roadworthiness test, the Volvo will be able to ferry the North West's rich and famous within the next couple of weeks. Mr Hayes said: "I drove it to the licensing committee so that they could inspect it there and then. "They needed to know that it has the appropriate safety requirements, and we are also subject to more stringent roadworthiness tests every six months, which is the next step. "There is a massive crackdown on limousines to make sure they're safe – and quite rightly so. There are some private hire firms out there that don't meet the same standards that we do, being licensed by the council." Mr Hayes believes that the latest addition to his luxury fleet will now enable Sophisticars to compete with other executive hire companies and continue the Leyland-based firm's success. He already has experience of dealing with celebrities under expert scrutiny, having previously chauffeured car fanatics Nigel Mansell and Murray Walker as part of the Variety Club contract. Sophisticars has been using two limousines and an American style executive car, mainly for stag and hen parties, high school leaving ceremonies and weddings. Coun Jim Owen, vice chairman of the general licensing committee confirmed that the council had given Mr Hayes permission to licence the vehicle. He said: "We had a look at the vehicle at the meeting and granted the licence, with the condition that a small licence plate is displayed inside. "We take each case on merit and it still has to pass the council's roadworthiness test before it is licensed for private hire."
July 2006	Sophisticars has been nominated by it's customers in the European Limousine Awards. Through the nominations and comments of our customers not only is Sophisticars a finalist for European Limousine Operator of the year but our chauffeur Phil Hayes has also made it in to the finals for Chauffeur of the year 2006. A massive honor to be with in the top 20 Limousine companies of Europe and to have a chauffeur within the top 20.
May 2006	Fantasy has arrived and has passed all roadworthiness tests and is now licensed like all our vehicles through the South Ribble Council to ensure it's fully legal and safe to hire.
April 2006	After a lot of searching for the right vehicle to be added to the fleet, Fantasy has been found and purchased. Fantasy matches the existing fleet with the same Dove Grey leather interior as all the existing vehicles and the same sophisticated silver exterior of Krystal.
March 2006	Sophsiticars has just gained all alcohol licence's needed and is one of the first Limousine companies in the UK to do so. Licence's are needed by all companies providing alcohol to sell or to give complimentary .
January 2006	Sophisticars have been elected proud members of the National Limousine Association Ensuring their customers with quality.
October 2005. (News Article) First Stretched Birthday!	Local prestige car hire firm Sophisticars is celebrating it's first birthday on Sunday, For that special occasion customers can hire from a choice a of Silver Stretched Limousine or White Lincoln Towncar, complete with chauffeur. All chauffeurs from Sophisticars are fully uniformed and provide a helpful professional service. Sophisticars is a thriving business and is looking to expand with the purchase of a new vehicle in the future. With a full diary-Sophisticars is very much in demand and they want to be able to supply a service to everyone who wants them - to do this they need to grow and with such a demand for their services this is not a problem. The largest percentage of bookings come from recommendations and repeat hire, which shows that all clients leave Sophisticars wanting their next big night to come along so they can turn to the luxury Sophisticars offers. Providing transport for events from proms, birthdays, hen nights weddings and more Sophisticars can add the final touch to that special occasion just perfect. Sophisticars are available to hire 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are willing to drive any distance. Run by partners Phil Hayes & Helen Averre, Sophisticars is very much a family run business, with all members from both families helping out from time to time. Phil said: " We'd like to thank all our family, friends and suppliers, on this our first birthday, for helping to make our first year in business such a success!"
May 2005	We have just expanded the Sophisticars team with more chauffeurs to cover the demand.
April 2005	Sophisticars Limousine Krystal stars in locally filmed comedy It is celebration time for the Chopra family of Preston. Not only their only son Jimi is all set to become a doctor but is going to get engaged to the girl his family likes, Simran, who has come from India. She comes from a respectable Gujarati family, is well educated, pretty and above all, the only daughter of a very good and old friend of the Chopra’s. She’s perfect in every way except one. She is not Jack, Jimi’s true love.
October 2004	Delivery has been taken of the first and only Silver Stretched Limousine in Lancashire (Krystal). Krystal & Baby Limo have been put through roadworthiness tests by South Ribble Council and granted vehicle licenses. With all licence's and insurance in place Sophisticars has opened for business.
September 2004	Our Limousine Operators licence has been applied for and granted. All our chauffeurs have gone through medicals and criminal record checks and have all passed with flying colour's and awarded licence's to drive private hire vehicles.
August 2004	Sophisticars has just purchased and had delivered the White Lincoln Towncar (Baby Limo) again cornering the market and offering the only one for hire in Lancashire.
May 2004	Sophisticars 1st Vehicle (Krystal) has been ordered, a terrific start to the company with the only Silver Stretched Limousine for hire in Lancashire.

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