A CAR rental business has opened in a Basingstoke shopping centre.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Ltd is a global vehicle rental company offering customers local and airport car rentals, car sharing, car hire and van hire.

The business, which is one of the largest vehicle rental businesses in the world, has opened in Festival Place and is described as a ‘unique move' for a UK shopping centre.

READ MORE: Enterprise-Rent-A-Car looking to open in Festival Place

Enterprise has opened in a vacant ground-floor storeroom in the shopping centre after gaining permission from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to transform the unit.

It has been transformed to include a washing bay and parking for people picking up and dropping off vehicles.

The work to update the storeroom included installing a replacement door and new glazing on the front.

Access to the unit, which is underneath one of Festival Place’s multistorey car parks, is from Churchill Way.

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Ltd is a global vehicle rental company based in 30 countries with more than 7,200 locations.

The new branch will employ five people, according to the planning application.

Festival Place centre director Neil Churchill said: “This is the first time a shopping centre has been a base for a car rental business on this scale and it’s very exciting.

“It’s great news for our customers, who are now able to access another valuable service on their doorstep.

“As well as great shopping and leisure facilities, we also offer vital health services via our health hub, and now have one of the world’s biggest car and van rental companies based here.

“Enterprise is a household name for frequent travellers and is based in 30 countries with more than 7,200 locations. We are delighted that Festival Place has been added to that extensive list.”