K Watson Cars is a Poole-based family-run chauffeur company headed by Kevan Watson and "guided and assisted" by his mother, Lesley. In 2005, after 18 months on the local taxi circuit and with the support of his parents, Lesley and Andrew, we set up Drive4U Business & Airport Travel with the motto ‘Travel In Comfort With Confidence’.
Over the next 10 years, we built up a successful airport and cruise transfer private hire business. The business was built around the mantra of customer service and an eye for detail.
In June 2016, the business was sold to PRC Streamline Taxis, and Kevan initially joined them to manage their new acquisition. However, he kept a valid operator’s licence under the K Watson Cars trading name. After 18 months, he resigned and, with the support of his parents once again, invested in a small fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles to provide a competitively-priced executive car service.
Sadly, Andrew passed away in December 2017 before seeing the fruition of this new chapter. During 2018 and 2019, we steadily increased our client base. We were recognised by SME News and CorporateLiveWire publications in their respective annual awards of 2020! See the Awards page.
Due to the Covid pandemic in 2020, we had to downsize and reorganise to survive! Since Covid we have gradually re-built up our client list to were we are today in 2024!
Highlights Of Poole
We are based in Poole Dorset (one of three towns, Bournemouth & Christchurch being the others, making up BCP Council), on the South Coast of England, that can boast the following:-
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The largest natural harbour in Europe (second to Sydney, Australia in the world).
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Brownsea Island where the first Boy Scouts meeting was held in 1907.
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The headquarters of the world-renowned Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Sunseeker, maker of the luxury motor yachts, as seen in several James Bond films and the 2012 London Olympics.
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Several miles of Blue Flag beaches, including the wealthy suburbs of Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks.
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Bournemouth, one of the UK's premier holiday resorts, is its neighbour also with blue flag beaches.
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The New Forest National Park is only a 30-minute drive away.
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Dorset, along with its neighbouring county of Devon further to the west, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site - The Jurassic Coast.
Meet The Team!
The Owner & Chauffeur
Kevan obtained his Hackney (Taxi) Driver's licence in 2003, having learnt the trade from his uncle (Michael 'Mick' Watson, a 30+ years veteran of the local taxi trade) and the younger brother of Kevan's father, Andrew.
Although learning a lot during the first 18 months on the local circuit, along with the occasional trip to the London Airports and elsewhere in the country, he soon realised that the long-distance runs were his forte.
Kevan was among Poole's first drivers to complete the BTEC "Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire" qualification in 2006. In 2016, Kevan was invited by Poole Council to partake in the initial trial group to undertake a new course, "Protecting People from Harm and Abuse", before it became mandatory for drivers.
Kevan is an avid AFC Bournemouth fan and at home games you'll find him sitting in the Executive area behind the home dugout!
Chauffeur/Driver
Mark Harris (L) has provided his services as a licenced Private Hire driver to K Watson Cars since 2008. He is a former marine who can handle situations that may come his way in a cool and collected way.
When he's not driving you around, you may see him in Poole Harbour in his boat, catching that day's dinner or helping out the PHC's harbour pilots to their next ship they are piloting safely around the harbour.
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"The Boss"
Lesley has extensive experience working in a customer service environment and was Poole's first private hire office administrator to successfully complete the BTEC "Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire" qualification in 2007. From the early years to 2020 (pre-Covid), she provided a vital link between K Watson Cars, the clients, and the chauffeurs.
In early 2020, it was determined that she needed both hips replaced, but COVID obviously delayed the operations. In August 2022, she had the right hip replaced and then the following year the left hip. In June 2023, she celebrated her 80th birthday, so although she is slowly stepping away from the business, she is still in Kevan's earshot!
"The Figures Boss"
Kevan's father, Andrew, was the figure's guru. He was a walking calculator, he could work out most calculations in his head before you had time to turn the calculator on! Also what he didn't know about tax wasn't worth knowing!
Car salesman used to run the other way when they saw him. They knew they were in for a tough negotiation over price! During his time at SGB scaffolding as a buyer and then later at Hamworthy Engineering Hydraulics Division, where he was a shop steward for a number of years, he learnt the art of negotiation.
In 2003, he was diagnosed as having COPD, and although it didn't affect him too much to start with, it did start to slow him down later in the 2000s by reducing his breathing capacity. Then in the summer of 2017, he deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away in early December.
ANDREW
1932 - 2017
Awards!
We would like to express A BIG THANK YOU to all our clients who nominated us. This recognition signifies that we are meeting our high standards, and it wouldn't be possible without YOUR loyal support.
Kevan and Lesley received the award from Michael
In early June 2023, Kevan and Lesley attended the Houses of Parliament as guests and were nominated by Michael Tomlinson, MP for Mid Dorset & North Poole, for an award. Although we were not successful in one of the main awards, we are proud winners for being nominated and grateful to Michael that he thought we were worthy of the nomination.
Parliamentary Taxi & Private Hire Awards
- winner for 2023.
We proudly announce that we won the successive Corporate LiveWire Global Award of
Executive Car Hire Service
(2021/22)
We proudly announce that we won the Corporate LiveWire Global Award of
Executive Car Hire Service
(2020)
We proudly announce that we WON 2 awards in the 2020 UK Enterprise Awards organised by SME News:
Best Private Executive Car Hire Service
and
Customer Service Excellence Award for Southern England
Gallery
Health & Safety
The welfare of our clients and drivers is paramount to us! So just some points you need to be aware of.
The front passenger seat is available to use, but we would ask clients to sit in the back wherever possible. If you do or need to sit up front, please let the office know when placing the booking.
Face masks/coverings are not required in taxis and private hire vehicles. So if you wish to wear one, please feel free to do so.
Our vehicles have alcohol-based hand sanitisers and, with our compliments, have face masks for your use.
After each trip, all accessible surfaces are wiped clean.
We do not provide a newspaper to reduce the risk of any possible cross-contamination.
We will always be guided by the UK Government's advice.
Very Smooth Journey
“Travelled from South West to Stansted Airport plus return journey. Very smooth journey both ways. No issues whatsoever. Vehicle was very comfortable and the service provided was highly professional and courteous throughout. Highly recommend it. Could not have been better.
