Whether it's a last-minute trip to The Lakes or an epic tour of Europe, all campervan trips have one thing in common: sooner or later you have to put down the roof, take one last look around the campsite, and head for home. My campervan journey has probably been longer than most, but after 11 years of fun and adventure, I've decided that this will be my last season running Manchester Camper Hire.
Way back in 2012 I set off on a trip to the Western Isles with a bunch of friends in a van that was ten years older than me (although arguably in better condition). I caught the campervan bug, and after months of searching for the perfect van, I withdrew all the cash I had in the bank and got a train to High Wycombe to buy an old sushi delivery van!
After Vamoose had worked their magic on the conversion I started renting it out to help cover the cost. Things snowballed a little, and since then the vans have done over 1000 trips all over the UK, as well as Norway, Croatia, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and more! They’ve been used for countless festivals and family holidays, music tours, retreats, and even marriage proposals, weddings and honeymoons!
Lots of you used your trip as a way to test the water before taking the plunge and buying your own camper, kickstarting many more of your own adventures. Some customers have come from just round the corner, whilst others have travelled from the other side of the world to explore the UK in Vinnie the Van, Barra the Bus, Curtis the Camper, Gus the Bus, and Veronica the Van.
It's been a privilege to play a tiny part in so many trips and to meet thousands of van-fans along the way. As jobs go, it doesn’t get much better than this – I meet extremely cheerful people who are excited to go off on their campervan trip, and then meet even happier people when they come back from their holiday, refreshed and ready to pass on their top tips for where to visit next. When I set off on this adventure I had no idea that I’d be able to leave my old job and just play with campervans for a living. Given how much I love campervans and how great it is to call this my job, you might be wondering why I want to call it a day. It’s been a lot of fun, and it still is, but having thought about this for a while, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just time for a change. I don’t have the ambition to grow the business beyond its current size, (as anyone who’s tried to book a van in the summer will know, there’s plenty of demand!) but I’m also not someone who just wants to keep doing the same thing every year. So, I’ve got a plan to do something completely different. I can’t say much more yet, but I will keep you posted!
Whilst I might be ready to take the next exit, all is not lost! It would be a real shame to throw away the years of work and experience that have got things to where they are today, so my hope is that someone out there is willing to take the wheel! (Especially as I know lots of you are already planning your adventures for 2024.) I’d really love for someone to carry the business on in whatever way they see fit, so I’m planning to sell our current vans and the business all together, along with everything needed to keep things running smoothly. I’d ideally like to get things ready so that the new owners are ready and raring to go before the new year, so sending this invitation out now should give plenty of time for a smooth transition. I’ve put more information here about what’s included, but just get in touch if you want anymore information.
Maybe you’re looking for a better work/life balance. It could be that there’s a group of you who all want to have your own campervans and share the admin of renting them out. You might be trying to find a business that will fit around your busy family life, or you could even be a venture capitalist looking to expand things massively! Whoever you are, if you like campervans, people, and short working days, then this could be the opportunity for you! If you think this all sounds interesting, then please, get in touch for more of a chat.
I’ve had the best 11 years of fun in my little world of campervans, and it’s been the longest (and easiest!) job I’ve ever had. It’s been an absolute privilege to meet you all and be involved in your trips. I hope that you’ll all continue your campervan adventures for years to come, and that you’ll remember the ones you’ve already had with the same fondness that I will mine. Thank you all so much - I couldn't have asked for better travel buddies to help make this such an unforgettable journey. Keep on planning adventures and making memories, however and wherever that might be. Nick 😄 🚌