Franchising, retail, business
06/04/2017
Uber is driving into the property world, with plans to build its own car parks in London and the South-East, it emerged on Friday.
The ride-hailing firm is seeking disused storage and industrial space where its drivers would have a dedicated place to wait, in a bid to reduce customer waiting times and prevent vehicles clogging up congested areas.
A spokesman for the taxi-app giant told the Evening Standard it was eyeing space around City Airport and Gatwick Airport.
Property firm BNP Paribas Real Estate has been hired to help with the search.
Uber will consider working with car-park operators and landlords, as well as acquiring sites itself.
EG magazine, which first revealed the news, said the move will help attract more drivers to the company and that local councils, which grant licences for Uber to operate, will be less concerned by the disruption that could be caused.
Black-cab drivers yesterday blockaded Whitehall in protest against Uber, amid claims that David Cameron lobbied for the US firm when he was prime minister.
JOANNA BOURKE
Fonte:http://www.standard.co.uk/business/uber-on-the-road-to-entering-london-property-market-with-own-car-parks-a3509836.html