Today, 25th June 2022, marks five years since Epsom Coaches left the industry. It went out on a high and subsequent event have proven the validity of the decision to close the company as it was unlikely that Epsom Coaches would have maintained its enviable reputation under a new regime and their plans. Whilst it was sad to see so many staff affected, the end would surely have come anyway but under less controlled circumstances.
The bus division Quality Line carried on, but with mounting losses, without the support of the coaches (they always supported each other) and inevitably was morphed into the larger group fleet. Finally, the garage at Epsom, a home from home for so many people, was closed in its 50th year. Today, it makes a sad sight, with grass growing through the tarmac and boarded up. It always seemed strange, why a state-of-the-art facility, which had some of the best accommodation in the UK bus and coach industry was closed. Planning permission has been granted to Travis Perkins to convert into a Builder Merchants, which will involve demolition of the offices and replacement with a new shop.
The staff were always the backbone of the company, loyal, hardworking, and totally supportive through good and bad times. Many have moved on but retain their affection for a unique company that put its staff before anything else. Feedback since the decision to close and the subsequent failure of the big plan, that bigger is better, has proven to be as predicted, wrong, although it gives me no pleasure.
I pay tribute to everyone involved with the company through its 97 years and have pleasant memories of working with you. Thank you for your contribution to those memories, you are simply the best.
Steve Whiteway