BOSSES of Ellesmere’s award-winning Lakeside coach company says it will be ‘business as usual’ following its takeover by the First Group.

The company, which operates services across Shropshire, including in Ellesmere, Oswestry and Whitchurch, will now formally be part of the First Group organisation, which has a huge UK presence.

Lakeside managing director Neal Hall moved to allay any fears that have surfaced in the 24 hours since it was announced that there will be sweeping changes at the company.

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He said: “This is fantastic news for all of the communities that we serve in bringing more investment into the area.

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“We may not be family owned but we continue to be family run and will be operating the same award-winning services we have always offered.

“It’s business as usual with our focus firmly on the future and continuing to grow the Lakeside brand.”

First Group announced on Friday morning that it had acquired Lakeside as well as Merediths Coaches and AT Brown Coaches, adding around 145 vehicles into the business and establishing Cheshire and Shropshire bases.

Aside from its depot in Ellesmere, Lakeside also has five others in Shrewsbury, Telford and South Cheshire.

The operator has seen strong growth in recent years and for the 12-month period ending March 31, they recorded revenues of approximately £12.5 million and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of around £2.5 million.

Work includes school duties, business-to-business services and private hire, with the purchaser noting that the majority of revenue comes from home-to-school operations and private hire.

The remainder is drawn from tours, a small local bus operation under contract to Shropshire County Council, and business to business.

Neal will continue to manage the business on a day-to-day basis while previous owner Gareth Davies will join First Bus “to support the ongoing development of its wider coaching strategy,” the buyer says.

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Lakeside Coaches was crowned Large Coach Operator of the Year at the 2023 routeone Awards.

Chief executive Graham Sutherland said: “The acquisitions we have made in recent years, in line with our stated strategy to grow and diversify the First Bus portfolio, now represent combined annualised revenues of c.£100 million and EBIT of c.£13 million, and we continue to evaluate a pipeline of organic and inorganic growth opportunities.

He added: “The acquisition of Lakeside, a profitable business with excellent growth potential, builds on our recent acquisitions in First Bus.”