Firm started trading in Wigan in 1999 with just 15 vans and six cars. Now headquartered at the Royal Liver Building the businesses has a fleet of 2,800 vehicles. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool vehicle rental firm ER Travel Services has secured £4m of bank funding to upgrade its fleet with the purchase of 400 new Vauxhall cars.

Trading as Easirent, the firm started trading in Wigan in 1999 with just 15 vans and six cars. Now headquartered at the Royal Liver Building the businesses has a fleet of 2,800 vehicles.

The family-run business is the only British-owned car rental company based at most major UK and Ireland airports and currently operates 27 rental branches, employing approximately 260 people. Turnover passed £20m last year.

ER secured the £4m asset finance facility with banking giant Barclays.

Managing Director Paul Hanley said, “Easirent is a thriving business with a reputation for quality, experience and excellent customer service.

“Our expanding fleet means we can cater for all customer needs and the knowledge and professionalism of our staff is key to helping us do this.

“We are genuinely excited by the prospects for growth in our business.”

Ian Wilby, relationship director for Barclays, added: “Easirent is a very successful, fast growing, low-cost vehicle rental business with an excellent track record over the last 18 years.

“The business has built steadily over the years and this is testament to their business model and the quality of the management team.”