A moving ‘industry friends farewell’ event was held at Epsom Coaches’ Passenger Departure Lounge at its depot in Roy Richmond Way.
MD Steve Whiteway, who retires after 37 years’ service, said at the event that he plans to drive the coach home to Epsom after its last tour to Torquay at the end of June.
In a speech to an audience of industry suppliers, coach operators from all over the UK, hoteliers, and representatives from the Confederation of Passenger Transport and the Coach Tourism Association, Mr Whiteway recalled the 97-year history of one of the most iconic and award-winning coach brands in the UK.
Founded in 1920, the company grew very rapidly by providing charabancs and horse-drawn transport for the famous local racing industry.
As it closes, the company operates tours to more than 80 destinations across the UK, and 22 European destinations.
Mr Whiteway said there would be very few job losses as a result of the closure, and he was delighted that Gardiners NMC, with its head office in Morpeth, has secured the future of Epsom’s coach holidays and its day excursion programme.
While the Epsom Coach name will be no more, Gardiners will open an office in Epsom, run by Epsom staff Melanie Cox and Alistair Scott.
