Vehicle rental firm collapses with 34 job losses

A vehicle rental business has closed after it collapsed into administration, resulting in the loss of 34 jobs.

The closure of Afford Rent-a-Car, which had offices in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, was confirmed by administrators Currie Young this week.

The company had been trading for more than 40 years after it was founded in 1981 by Tony Moore and Tony Dobson.

At its peak, it had multiple sites across the UK but had experienced sustained financial pressures in recent years, Currie Young said.

These included rising operating costs and maintenance expenses, which administrators said placed "considerable strain" on the firm's cash flow and viability.

Currie Young said the directors had engaged in negotiations to sell the business, but a transaction could not be concluded.

Following the appointment of administrators, the company's assets were sold to an undisclosed third party.

Steve Currie, joint administrator, said the firm was a "long-standing and respected" local employer with "deep roots in the community".

"The directors made significant efforts to secure a sale of the business prior to our appointment," he said.

"Unfortunately, by the time we were instructed, the financial position and time constraints limited the available options."

Currie said he and his colleagues were working to support all the affected parties, including employees, customer and suppliers.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.