1. business and industrial

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252 Anlaby Road Hull HU3 2RS
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News Release
WHITTLES BUS COMPANY PUT UP FOR SALE
Whittle Coach and Bus has been put up for sale by its owners, the family-owned bus and coach
company EYMS Group Limited based in Hull, following several years of operating losses.
EYMS Chairman, Peter Shipp, said that he was extremely disappointed at having to take this decision,
the Group having bought the Company from the owner Ron Whittle in 2004 with every intention of
growing and developing it for the long term.
However, competition in both the bus and local coach market has eroded the Whittles’ financial
situation and this has not been helped by factors outside the Company’s control.
In 2012, the Government’s 20% cut in Bus Operators’ Fuel Duty Subsidy which had been in place
since the 1960s, and pressures on local authority budgets which have reduced concessionary travel
reimbursement to bus operators and the money available for local authorities to support unprofitable
services, have all added to the problems.
EYMS Group, whose main and much larger subsidiary East Yorkshire Motor Services, based in Hull,
has, like every other bus operator, been hit by the same financial cuts and says it can no longer afford to
support its loss-making Whittles subsidiary.
It is hoped that a buyer can be found for the business, or at least parts of it, as EYMS says its absolute
priority is to try and save jobs, and efforts to contact possible interested parties have already begun.
EYMS GROUP LIMITED is the holding company of:
East Yorkshire Coaches East Yorkshire Motor Services
Whittle Coach & Bus Scarborough and District Motor Services
cpt
member
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However, if this does not prove possible, then the Whittles’ operations may have to cease and during
the next few weeks Whittles’ staff will be consulted on the possibility of closure at some time in the
future.
Whittles has an annual turnover of almost £4m, split between local bus services, coach operations,
including day trips, private charter and holiday tours, and significant operations on contract to National
Express.
The Company employs over 50 full time staff plus a number of part time and casual employees, and
operates 35 buses and coaches from its base in Kidderminster.
EYMS Chairman, Peter Shipp, said “despite big efforts over the last few years it has not been possible
to reduce the losses and after a great deal of soul searching we have decided that we have no option but
to try and sell the business. Whilst it has not worked for us, it could well be that for one or more other
operators perhaps based in the area, there could be some synergies which would make the operation
worthwhile and we are contacting anyone we think might be interested in buying all or part of the
business.”
“It is important to stress that neither Whittles nor EYMS Group is in actual financial difficulties so
payments to suppliers, and pay and all other monies due to our employees up to the date of sale or
closure are not at any risk, and Whittles’ coach business will continue as normal at least until the end of
the year.”
“This is a huge disappointment for me but, of course, it will be an even bigger disappointment for the
staff at Whittles and we will be giving them every opportunity to talk to our managers in the next few
weeks so that they can discuss the issues which will undoubtedly affect them, and we will offer advice
and practical help wherever we can.”
ENDS
Issued by Peter Shipp
Chairman and Chief Executive
EYMS Group Limited
01482 327142
9 October 2014
EYMS GROUP LIMITED is the holding company of:
East Yorkshire Coaches East Yorkshire Motor Services
Whittle Coach & Bus Scarborough and District Motor Services
cpt
member