A commercial vehicle hire business is expanding.

The Mayor Cllr Hugh Patterson cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of a new workshop for Prohire in Lamberts Road, Tunbridge Wells.

The vehicle maintenance unit will be key to the firm’s rental business and the six-figure investment in the building has enabled the company to take on eight new members of staff, tripling the size of the firm’s workforce at Tunbridge Wells.

They include two mobile technicians who can now service customers’ vehicles on the road or off-site.

The workshop, led by branch manager Ashley Bourne, will be able to minimise the time that vehicles are off road.

The Tunbridge Wells depot will also support Prohire’s alternative fuels division, ProGreen, which was launched in 2021 to help customer’s who want to decarbonise their fleets.

Cllr Patterson, said: “Prohire’s investment into the town is creating lots of opportunities for local people which is fantastic.”

“It’s inspiring to hear about Prohire’s commitment to helping businesses to achieve net zero through electric vehicles and other alternative fuels. They are a real asset to Tunbridge Wells and I’m delighted to open their new workshop.”

Gary Banister, a director at Prohire, said: “A leading part of the proposition is our investment into ProGreen as we continue to lead the charge in sustainable vehicle hire.

“Our team will use, maintain and manage electric vehicles as the move to alternative fuels and net zero continues at pace.”

Nationally, Prohire employs over 80 people, It provides nationwide commercial vehicle rental and long-term vehicle contract hire, together with fleet maintenance, accident repair management, and fleet compliance to customers across the UK.

The company was established in 1997.