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Yorkshire businesses celebrate long-term partnership

Two leading Yorkshire-based independent family-run companies are celebrating a long-term business partnership and continued mutual growth.

Yorkshire’s largest independent vehicle hire firm, Arrow Self Drive celebrates a 30-year long partnership with long-standing tea and coffee company, Taylors of Harrogate.

Arrow Self Drive marks its 30th anniversary this year, with depots in eight locations across the region. Since its inception in 1988, the company has maintained a close business relationship with Taylors of Harrogate.

Founded by Charles Taylor in 1886, Taylors of Harrogate crafts extraordinary tea and coffee sourced from the world’s best growers. The company is responsible for numerous established blends including Yorkshire Tea. With a head-quarters in Huddersfield, Arrow Self Drive also has depots in Wakefield, Bradford, Sheffield, Leeds, Barnsley, Hull and Knaresborough.


The firm has experienced continued business success, growing its fleet to more than 2,000 rental vehicles and over 80 staff across its depots.

Knaresborough depot manager, Sandra Duffield, has worked for the company since it took over Ready Drive 12 years ago, previously running the operations for 18 years at Ready Drive. Sandra has worked closely with Martin Flanagan, transport manager at Taylors, over the last 30 years, and has seen both companies grow rapidly.

Sandra Duffield, manager at Arrow Self Drive’s Knaresborough depot commented:

“We have enjoyed a hugely successful business relationship over the years working with Taylors, supporting them with first class vehicles and customer service.

“When Arrow took over Ready Drive, it was a relatively small operation. However over the years Taylors has seen enormous growth, for which we have been there every step of the way.

Martin Flanagan, transport manager at Taylors, explains why he has continued to use Arrow Self Drive:

“We have a great partnership with Arrow Self Drive. The fleet is extremely important at Taylors to ensure that we can distribute our tea and coffee seamlessly to retailers across the country. We have every confidence that the partnership between ourselves and Arrow Self Drive will continue into the future.”