When planning transport for a major event, whether it’s a wedding, a music festival, a corporate retreat, or a school prom, booking your private hire transport early is one of the most important steps to ensure everything runs smoothly.

At SC Travel, we regularly help clients with group travel across Derbyshire and beyond, and one of the most common questions we hear is: “When should I book my private hire vehicle for a big event?”

So here’s our answer!

Why booking in advance matters

Private hire vehicles, especially minibuses and accessible transport, are in high demand during peak seasons. By getting your booking in early, you’ll have a better chance at getting:

• Wide availability: Especially if you need multiple vehicles or a specific type (e.g. executive minibus, wheelchair-accessible transport).
• The best rates: Prices may increase closer to the date, particularly around holidays or busy weekends.
• Peace of mind: You can focus on other parts of your event knowing your transport is sorted.
• Custom planning: Early bookings allow time for route planning, schedule changes and any extras you may need.

Our recommended booking timeframes for different event types

Here’s a general guide for how far in advance we recommend booking private hire transport:

Event Type	Recommended Booking Time
Weddings	3–6 months in advance
Airport Transfers (Groups)	2–4 weeks in advance
Corporate Events	1–3 months in advance
School Proms / Sports Days	2–3 months in advance
Festival / Concert Trips	4–8 weeks in advance
Holiday Excursions	1–2 months in advance
Accessible Transport Needs	As early as possible

What happens if you book late?

Booking at the last minute doesn’t always mean you’re out of luck, but it can mean limited vehicle options, higher costs, less flexibility and a risk of not finding the accessible or executive options you may be looking for.

If you’re unsure whether it’s too late, it’s always worth contacting us, we’ll always do our best to accommodate even short-notice requests!

What to have ready when you book

To make your booking process faster and smoother, try to have this information ready to hand:

• Pickup and drop-off locations
• Departure and return times
• Number of passengers (and any mobility needs)
• Luggage requirements (especially for airport transfers)
• Preferred vehicle type (for example; standard minibus, executive or accessible)

This allows us to match you with the most suitable vehicle, quote quickly and get your journey in the diary.

At SC Travel, we provide a wide range of private transport services for Derbyshire and beyond. Based in Alfreton, we specialise in minibus hire for large parties, executive travel for corporate or VIP events, luxury wedding transport, 24/7 airport transfers, and accessible travel for SEND children.

Whether you’re booking months in advance or need last-minute transport, we can help you get where you need to go — comfortably and on time.

Get in touch with us today if you’d like more information.

In this week’s #MeetTheTeam blog, we’d like to introduce Crystal, an experienced, multi-faceted and valued member of our team!

Crystal takes on a wide range of responsibilities within our team, from driving our lovely customers around the country, helping to maintain our vehicles, to keeping things in order in our office.

About Crystal

Having had a long career in healthcare and transport, previously working in patient transport, Crystal chose to join SC Travel for its more relaxed culture and quality-focused approach to its services. 

From initially starting as a part-time driver, Crystal now works full-time as a PSV driver – which required gaining an important qualification that SC Travel was proud to support her with. 

Alongside this, Crystal also enjoys handling our office’s compliance and supporting the wider team to maintain our fleet of vehicles.

Q: What do you like best about your role?

A: I am a quick worker and like to keep busy, so having a wide variety of roles is something I really like about my job here, and I think my experiences have made me gain quite a few transferable skills.

Whether it’s driving, checking the vehicles or sorting out the admin, there’s always something I can help out with. Although my favourite role has to be driving, I love spending time with people – especially with the SEND children we support.

Q: Outside of work, what do you like getting up to?

A: I love spending time with my family, my kids are everything to me.

Q: What’s been one of your proudest moments in life?

A: Probably the fact that I have raised my kids by myself, I think that’s a real achievement that I maybe don’t appreciate enough.  Also, going to university and gaining a qualification in management level nursing has to be up there!

Find out more about our transport services. 

Zara has been working at SC Travel for almost 2 years now and has been an amazing asset to our team.

Our passengers often comment on how well-suited Zara is to her role as Passenger Assistant. This role sees her take responsibility for the care of the SEND children we support in travelling to school, where she makes a huge difference to their comfort in making the journey.

“As a mum, I find it so rewarding to help children to feel safe and happy in going to school. I feel like I’m making a positive difference in their lives.”

About Zara

As an avid cook and baker, Zara worked as a professional caterer before joining the SC Travel team. Whilst she enjoyed that role, and still enjoys cooking at home, she finds her role now is more suitable to her personality, as well as being much more rewarding.

Q: What do you like most about being a Passenger Assistant?

A: Definitely the kids. Seeing the difference we make, every day, is something that I can’t compare to much else.

For example, I used to have a child on a school run that was completely non-verbal. But now, after building that trust and getting to know him, he communicates, interacts and has even learnt to say my name.

Not only has this been really lovely to see, but by taking that time to get to know him, I’ve been able to better care for him in situations where he might be more anxious, for example in traffic. For his family, I’ve also been able to provide reassurance and build trust with them, which again is so rewarding.

Q: Outside of work, what do you like getting up to?

A: Most weekends you’ll either find me spending time with my family, baking, seeing my friends or standing on the side of a pitch being a football mum. 

I also have a gorgeous golden retriever who I absolutely adore.

Q: What’s been one of your proudest moments in life?

A: Becoming a mum. It’s given me a purpose and I think it’s changed me as a person. I think the reason I am so suited to my role now is because I am a mum, and I can understand the worries of the parents of the children we look after.

Find out more about our accessible transport services. 

Luke is a dedicated member of the SC Travel team, a professional and trusted driver who helps our passengers to travel safely and securely across Derbyshire and the wider UK.

About Luke

Luke loves to travel, meet new people and see new places. In many ways, it’s no surprise he found a career in professional driving.

“I’m a massive Derby fan, of course, and I love to get out and about when I can, so it’s nice that I’m able to do that in my job, too. In fact, just a few months ago I was able to enjoy a trip down to Wembley when we took a group down to watch the football.”

Alongside driving, Luke also works in the maintenance of our vehicles, ensuring that they are top quality in both safety and comfort.

Having been with us for over a year now, it’s fair to say that Luke is very well suited to his role, always friendly and genuinely interested in the journeys he takes.

Q: What did you do before joining SC Travel?

A: I was working at a different company when SC Travel acquired them, and John (Director at SC Travel) offered me a new job with this team. I’ve never really looked back, it actually is like one big family here, as typical as that sounds. 

When we’re all busy and maybe a bit stressed, everyone still has time to help you out and chip in. If I’m struggling, I know that there’s always someone there that I can turn to.

Q: What’s been one of our proudest moments in your career so far?

A: Definitely when I passed my PSV license, which means I’m now fully qualified to drive a vehicle to hold 9 people or more. This took about 3-4 months for me to pass, which I did during my time here at SC Travel and was supported by everyone in the team.

Q: Outside of work, what do you like to get up to?

A: Aside from football, I love to spend time with my family and travel. At home I spend a lot of time with my family, and my parents live in Spain so I always try to go out there to visit them, and enjoy the sun, too.

Find out more about our transport services. 

From supporting families in taking SEND children to school to taking groups on trips away and providing luxury transport for events, SC Travel has been supporting the people of Alfreton and Derbyshire for over 20 years now.

More recently, we’ve been sponsoring and supporting the Alfreton-based community boxing project ‘Local Legends’, in a mission close to our heart. 

For this blog, we sat down with one of the project’s founders, Jay Chadway to share more about the initiative, its success so far and importance for the community.

The mission behind Local Legends

Jay owns and runs a gym near Alfreton called Team Chad Training, alongside his dad, John. As a qualified trainer, he wanted to start Local Legends for rookies to get into boxing as a way to boost their confidence and overall mental health.

Speaking on the project, Jay shared:

“Local Legends is a project that myself, John (Director at SC Travel) and friend Josh have set up as a way to help local people with their health – both mentally and physically.

John, Josh and I have known each other for a long time, over 16 years, and all used to  compete in boxing together when we were younger. The sport has always been hugely important to us, not just because of its health benefits but also for its community-centred way of bringing people together.

We wanted to share that positive impact by creating the Local Legends Fight Night project.”

About the project

Training for the 6 weeks up until Fight Night on 17th May, the Local Legends project has provided rookie boxers with the opportunity to try and train for the sport in a supportive, community-led environment.

The Fight Night itself will be judged by Alfreton and Derbyshire’s elder ‘Local Legends’ of boxing, hence the project name.

All of the training has been provided free of charge, thanks to local business sponsors like SC Travel. Within that training, participants have also been given 1-1 nutrition packages to help them with their eating habits and fitness. These have been given by Mind Over Matter, a local professional nutrition business set up by Jay’s brother, Daz Smith.

“We wanted Local Legends to feel open for anyone and everyone to join. Whatever your ability, the project is all about supporting people to get the best out of themselves.

The people who have got involved range from 18-55 years old, both male and female, and of all fitness levels. 

What connects them all is the reason they’ve come to us: being in a bad place physically, mentally and confidence-wise. Local Legends has massively helped them through that and in some cases, turned their lives around.”

The future of Local Legends

“We never expected the project to take off like it has. It’s been so good to see how impactful it’s been, and we can’t wait for Fight Night this Saturday.

We couldn’t have done it without the support of our local community, from businesses like SC Travel who have helped us promote and get the project off its feet.

For the future, we’d love to do another one, so stay tuned for more.”

To buy tickets for the Local Legends Fight Night this Saturday 17th May, message Jay via Instagram or Facebook.

As a family-run business of over 20 years, we thought it was about time we introduced some of the SC Travel team!

Having been with us practically since the beginning, there’s no one better to kick off this #MeetTheTeam series than Julie, who recently celebrated her 21 year work anniversary here at SC Travel.

About Julie’s role

Julie splits her time at SC Travel between being a Passenger Assistant on our accessible school runs, and Cleaner for our fleet of vehicles. This variety is something which she really enjoys.

“I feel like I’m able to make an impact in both of my roles. The cleaning, for one, makes me proud and satisfied with maintaining the high quality of our vehicles.”

Something that’s really important for all of our passengers to experience is the feeling of being in good, safe hands when they travel with us – and having an expertly clean vehicle is definitely integral to that.

“In my other role as a Passenger Assistant, I love the fact that I’m able to make a difference and help the children we look after to be happy and comfortable when they go to school.

Not only do we help them get to school safely, but we also get to know them really well. Having the same group of kids each week is important to that – we’ve developed some really good relationships and that’s made a huge difference to their comfort and happiness when travelling with us.”

Q: What did you do before joining SC Travel?

A: I used to work as a Care Assistant before I met Sean and Susan Connolly, who at the time had not long started SC Travel, and offered me a role that would be able to better fit around my 2 years old daughter.

They were right, it was a much better fit working as a Passenger Assistant, working the hours that suited me and my work-life balance.

Q: Outside of work, what do you like getting up to?

A: I am very much family-oriented, and spend most of my free time with my grandchildren. Aside from them, I also like to see my friends and just relax when I can!

Q: What’s been one of your proudest moments in life?

A: Probably the fact that I’ve been at SC Travel so long. That stability has enabled me to almost be like a family friend to the company, and watch it grow and change over the years. 

Find out more about SC Travel’s transport services and get in touch with our friendly team today.

Home to rolling countryside hills and Peak District landscapes, Derbyshire sets the perfect scenery for beautiful weddings.

As a transport provider based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, our drivers at SC Travel take great pride in providing luxury wedding transport, for bride, groom and wedding parties alike.

Be it an engagement party, hen do and stag do, or wedding day and honeymoon trip, we promise to provide transport that is premium, stress-free and reliable.

The River Mill, Derby

With its Georgian architecture and rustic design, The River Mill is a truly beautiful restored mill, setting a unique, homely wedding scene.

Set within the UNESCO world heritage site of The Darley Abbey Mills in Derby, this venue combines its industrial 19th century history with elegant modern day touches. 

Guest capacity: 130

Omastan Park, Ashbourne

Omastan Park is set within the stunning location of Omastan Estate’s 3000 acre grounds, with views over the lake, woodland and hillsides.

Weddings here promise a vast and luxurious experience, and with the entire venue to yourself, it also offers exceptional privacy. 

Guest capacity: 500

Whistle Barns, Heanor

Coming with its very own private pub, Whistle Barns is a newly-renovated wedding venue in Heanor, offering a personal space to enjoy your big day in both comfort and luxury.

Looking over its own lake, this rustic barn is perfectly located in the countryside between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Guest capacity: 150

Edale Gathering, Hope Valley

Surrounded by striking heather moorland, Edale Gathering is a pretty farm hamlet that provides a festival-like atmosphere for countryside weddings.

Located on a sheep pasture in Edale, Hope Valley, this venue is a superbly individual site that also offers glamping accommodation for guests.

Guest capacity: 90

Haarlem Mill, Wirksworth

A former cotton mill dating back to 1780, Haalerm Mill sets an urban, industrial and classy backdrop for weddings that are looking for something distinctive.

With two storeys, you can be sure to host a large party here, providing everything you need for the entire day.

Guest capacity: 150

In need of sorting transport for yourself or your guests for your wedding excursions? Contact us today for a free quote.

As a trusted taxi and transport business operating across Chesterfield, Derbyshire and beyond, we get to see a lot of the local region during our day-to-day here at SC Travel.

A particular taxi service we offer is VIP transport and event travel, perfect for ladies days and nights out around Chesterfield and its surrounding areas. 

So, in this blog, we thought we’d recommend 3 of the best destinations and venues, ideal for your next girls day out…

Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa

An immense and immaculate 19th century manor house hotel, Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa makes for a relaxing girls day out.

Fitted with a luxurious restaurant and accommodation, Ringwood Hall is a popular spa destination located just on the outskirts of the busy Chesterfield town centre. Treatments here include warm stone massages, aromatherapy facials, manicures and pedicures.

At Ringwood Hall, you can also turn your ‘day out’ into a ‘night in’, with their Girls Night In offer. With a welcome drink to greet you at your arrival, this spa treatment offers the option of a beauty session and yoga class – as well as spa access until 10pm.

Finding Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa

Address: Ringwood Rd, Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1DQ

Phone: 01246 280077

From Chesterfield town centre, it takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes to get to Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa.

From Alfreton, it takes approximately 25 – 30 minutes to get to Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa.

Bottomless brunch in Chesterfield

The bottomless brunch craze from the pandemic days hasn’t gone away! 

Ideal for those who want to enjoy good food and drink without the bother of going out at night, bottomless brunches make for a fun girls day out – where you can also be home by 9pm…

The best places that offer bottomless brunches in Chesterfield, we’d have to say are Barca Bar (£35pp), Darwin and Bear (£20-£30pp) and The White Hart Inn, near Alfreton (£32pp).

Other places that do tasty food and cocktails, but not necessarily bottomless brunch, include Bottle & Thyme, and Einstein’s.

Renishaw Hall and Gardens

Another beautiful venue for a more restful ladies day out is Renishaw Hall and Gardens, where you can visit their gorgeous gardens, complete with lakes and woodlands.

Renishaw Hall also offers guided tours around their vast hall and Sitwell Museum; “a must-see for history and literature lovers alike”, as well as vineyard tours (wine tasting included, of course).

Guests can then end their day at Renishaw Hall with an exquisite lunch at their cafe, offering various lunches and afternoon tea.

Finding Renishaw Hall and Gardens

Address: Renishaw Hall & Gardens, Renishaw Park, Chesterfield S21 3WB

Phone: 01246 432310

From Chesterfield town centre, it takes approximately 20 – 25 minutes to get to Renishaw Hall and Gardens.

From Alfreton, it takes approximately 30 – 35 minutes to get to Renishaw Hall and Gardens.

Choosing your taxi service for your girls day out around Chesterfield

So, you’ve got some ideas for your next girls day out… but how are you getting there?

If you’re looking for a taxi service local to Chesterfield, Alfreton or the surrounding areas, then the team here at SC Travel might just be the right choice for you.

Specialising in transport that is reliable, accessible and premium, we provide transport services for events, days away and nights out – as well as airport transfers and executive travel.

To learn more about our event transport in Derbyshire, reach out to our team on 07949 300629 or info@mysctravel.co.uk.

At SC Travel, Christmas and New Year is always a busy time of year for our taxi and transport staff here in Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Having travelled across the Alfreton, Chesterfield, Derby and Nottingham areas for 20 years now, we’ve visited several great venues and destinations as part of our event transport service over the years.

With the festive season fast approaching, we thought we’d rank our top 3 restaurant venues, perfect for Christmas Dos, near our community here in Alfreton. 

The White Hart Inn, Alfreton

Situated in the beautiful countryside of Alfreton, The White Hart Inn is a large and elegant venue, restaurant and hotel. 

With a seasonal menu offering both lunch, dinner, bottomless brunch and tapas nights, The White Hart also offers “the perfect backdrop for your celebration” at Christmas. For 2024, they’re hosting Casino Royale Christmas Party Nights in an “ultimate entertainment package, encompassing all things 007”.

This package includes a 2 Course Gourmet Buffet, Fizz On Arrival, Casino Table Entertainment, DJ Entertainment, Private Bar – at £45 per person.

To learn more, visit their website here.

Darleys, Derby

An award-winning Derby-based restaurant, Darleys offer classic British and European dishes with a modern twist, from a 200-year old former mill building: Darley Abbey Mills. 

Taking just 20 minutes in the car from Alfreton, Darleys is perfectly placed for a team night out in Derby. 

For 2024, they’re offering a Festive Bistro Menu, Festive A la Carte Menu, Festive Tasting Menu and a Festive Veg Tasting Menu, available from Wednesday 20th November.

Discover more here.

Lombardi’s, Chesterfield

Lombardi’s is a family-owned and run restaurant that’s been serving up authentic Italian food in Chesterfield since 2002. 

With a range of artisan Italian wines and beers, as well as local ales from across Derbyshire and the Peak District, Lombardi’s is a relaxing restaurant venue that offer both comfort, ease and class. 

Learn more online here.

Need help getting to your Christmas Do?

Our event transport service here at SC Travel gets you to your destination on-time, and in-style. With a range of vehicles to choose from, each varying in size, comfort, luxury and accessibility, we’re a transport provider that the people of Derbyshire can trust.

To book for our event taxi service, simply just enquire online or call our team on 07949 300629.