Zipcar, world’s biggest car-sharing company, to close UK operation

Move by firm, owned by US group Avis Budget, will remove access to shared fleet across London at end of year

The world's biggest car-sharing company, Zipcar, has said it will close its UK operation, removing access to its shared fleet across London at the end of this year.

The company, owned by the US car rental group Avis Budget, said it will suspend new bookings through its app after 31 December, pending the outcome of a consultation on possible redundancies. The UK operating company had 71 staff last year, according to its latest accounts.