Businesses should anticipate Olympic van hire needs now

Experts are urging those who might want to rent a van during the period spanning next summer's Olympic Games to "plan ahead", reports Fleet News.

Figures released show a huge surge in demand for contract van hire in July and August this year, across the South East of England in particular. One rental company reported that its van rentals were almost a third higher in July than they were just three months previously, in April.

With that and the upcoming Games in mind, businesses are being advised to consider their future needs and book ahead to ensure availability.

Rental industry insider, Rob Ingram told Fleet World Group: "We find van demand often peaks in the summer months. [There's] an increase in consumer demand as customers realise they need a larger vehicle to move house or clear out the garage.

"Next year that demand is likely to be even higher. A lot of local businesses many need additional vans before, during and even after the Olympics: thousands of tourists means more work for delivery companies and shopkeepers."

"They key message," Mr Ingram continues, "is that businesses in London and the South East need to start thinking now about the vans they may needs during July and August 2012. They don't want to get caught on the hop."