Car club helps NR1 homebuyers reduce travel costs

Leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is blazing a trail for sustainable travel by supporting a pioneering car-sharing scheme in Norwich.

The housebuilder has fully funded a brand new vehicle for not-for-profit Norfolk Car Club – the first developer to do so in the county – and is also offering free car club membership to anyone who buys a brand new home at its NR1 development in the city.

Stacy Dornan, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We’re delighted to be able to help our customers at NR1 enjoy significant savings by cutting out the cost of car ownership.

“Car club membership is perfect for residents who walk or use public transport to get to work each day, but who would still like the convenience of having a car for the weekly shop, days out or weekends away.

“The car club helps reduce congestion and its cars emit 50% less CO2 per km than the average car in Norfolk – so it’s great for the planet, too!”

The low emission VW Golf is the car club’s 20th vehicle, parked next to the NR1 apartments opposite Norwich City Football Club, and is available for use by all car club members.

Alternative club vehicles are located across the city and can be reserved by members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can book any car or van in the fleet online or by phone by the hour, day or week, and use their smartcard to collect and return the vehicle.

Norfolk Car Club is well on its way to becoming the first not-for-profit city-wide car club in the UK, providing residents and businesses access to a car within walking distance from where they live and work.

Car club member Tom Woods, who lives in Norwich, said: “We don't own a car and will not be buying one soon, because of the convenience and flexibility that the car club offers. With the number of cars increasing throughout Norwich, even if your usual car isn't available, there’s sure to be one within a short walk.

“If we’d bought a car we would be spending vastly more than we currently do. We must have saved thousands of pounds in purchase costs, insurance, road tax, MOT, petrol and maintenance costs over the years. Also, I love being able to make and change a booking straight from my smartphone – even as I am walking towards the car sometimes!”

Norfolk Car Club membership is available to all homebuyers who choose a stylish apartment at NR1, where one-bedroom designs are currently for sale from £124,995.

Superbly located and appointed to present fantastic views over the River Wensum, NR1 offers city living at its best. The Riverside leisure and entertainment complex is right on the doorstep and Norwich’s main shopping district is just a short walk away, with the home of Premier League football club Norwich City only a stone’s throw from the development.

Home to the renowned University of East Anglia, the city also has a thriving cultural scene, with several theatres as well as arts and live music venues.

For commuters, Norwich train station is only half a mile away from NR1 for frequent services to London, Peterborough, Cambridge and the seaside towns of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham, while the A47, A11 and A140 provide excellent road routes north, south, east and west.

The NR1 Sales Information Centre is located in Gavin Bank, Geoffrey Watling Way, Norwich, and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and 1.30pm to 5pm on Mondays. Alternatively, log on to taylorwimpey.co.uk/eastanglia.

More information about car club membership is available at norfolkcarclub.com.