DripDrop brolly-for-hire trial donates a percentage of rental and sales proceeds to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

Issue
Umbrellas are one of the nation’s most lost items. In a survey of 2,000 UK adults, 28% admit having turned up to a work meeting absolutely soaking because they didn’t have a brolly. Despite almost a fifth of Brits owning three umbrellas, one in ten confirm having spent up to £50 on replacements.

Insight
Survey results showed that people never learn when it comes to safeguarding their umbrellas. Although over 60% of Brits own two or more umbrellas, it seems that they can’t help but lose, forget or break them – causing spur-of-the-moment brolly purchases.

Idea
As umbrellas are among the most requested items from our reception team, we decided to team up with a brolly sharing company called DripDrop. Offering sustainable brolly rental, we aimed to utilise and roll out their service in 30 of our Premier Inn hotels. In turn, helping our guests to avoid the woes of turning up to events like weddings and job interviews soaked to the bone!

The best part, 15% from each hire went to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

We also designed a brain teaser to introduce our new umbrellas, where you must try and spot a single, concealed umbrella in a crowded street scene. Forget Where's Wally... how about Where's Brolly?

Impact
Our umbrellas are currently being trialled in 30 hotels, in locations that include London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and York.