A RENOWNED Bromsgrove coach company which has operated in the town for more than a century will close tomorrow (Friday) after the owners decided they had reached their journey’s end.
Harris Coaches in Catshill began in 1922 when William Harris ran a large car and then bought his first Charanbanc – a Fiat from his First World War Gratuities.
He had witnessed the pulling power of the vehicles during his time in Italy.
War-torn Britain had a lack of passenger transport and he saw an opportunity.
Services to Austin Motor Company were soon operated and the firm moved into its current Meadow Road premises in 1930. It was on a £3-per-week rental agreement with a promise to buy in two years.
William’s wife Francis Lilian assisted him with his accomplishment.
After William’s death in 1959, his wife Lily continued to operate the firm with her son Graham who had completed his national service with the RAF and gained a good knowledge on general vehicle maintenance.
Continental travel started in the 1950s and Graham drove on many memorable tours.
Comfort and safety have always been of prime importance and, in 1972, Harris Coaches replaced its whole 10-strong fleet – two of the vehicles had extra special seating and safer braking systems were fitted.
Trips abroad and new coaches
In 1983, continental travel expanded and two new coaches were bought from Belgium, again with extra special seating.
After an error on the number of seats the vehicles could take, some had to be taken out to give passengers more leg room – that became a constant in all future coach purchases.
By now Harris was running coaches to many European Grand Prixs, the Le Mans 24-hour race, Dutch bulb-fields, Paris, Belgium, Luxembourg and to Calais hypermarkets.
In 1984 the Neoplan Cityliners – very elegant vehicles – were introduced, bringing new comforts and safety systems. There are still Neoplans in today’s fleet as they remained such a favourite.
The European programme took drivers and passengers to Yugoslavia, Poland, Portugal, Sardinia, Corsica, Andorra, Norway, Denmark, France, Italy, Belgium and more.
The British tours were decreasing as more took up foreign travel.
When Graham died in 1991, Jon, Steve and Graham’s wife Nena took over. Nena retired in 1999.
Around this time, the company tried to boost the UK market and this slowly grew over the years until 2019 when continental holidays were less popular and UK breaks were soaring. This was due to travel insurance costs and Brexit-induced travel complications.
Popular destinations included the Channel Islands, Scottish Islands, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and many other British resorts.
Jon and Steven Harris have closed the company. Picture by Marcus Mingins 1826007MMR2
The fleet decreased from 18 at its peak to just four now – this has seen the business carry on at a steady pace and, the owners said, made it more enjoyable.
The last tours that left Harris Executive Travel’s depot this week were to Harrogate on Monday and a private group to Yorkshire on Wednesday.
‘We’ll miss so many people’
Rosemary Harris, from Harris Coaches, told the Standard: “Though full on at times, both physically and mentally, we can honestly say we have thoroughly enjoyed continuing the family business.
“We shall dearly miss our wonderful customers that have been so loyal and constant to us over the years.
“We have become privileged in getting to know their families, their highs and lows.
“Without them we would not have continued this long, so a huge thank you to all our customers out there.”
She thanked everyone for their wonderful cards, letters and gifts, describing it as an ‘amazing show of warmth and love’.
“Last but most certainly not least, a huge thank you to all our staff and drivers over the years.”
She said the firm had never had a high turnover of staff – so many drivers and office staff had stayed for years which was ‘such a compliment’.
“Bill – our driver who stayed until the very end has been a major part of our team for 48 years and Janice, who also stayed to the end, has been answering the phone and taking bookings for 25 years.
“It will be very sad locking up on Friday evening, knowing coaches will no longer leave the depot.”
