As you may already be aware, the business of Ipswich based operator Soames of Otley had been made available for sale following the announcement that director Tony Soames is retiring. RouteONE magazine announced yesterday that the business, which trades as 'Forget Me Not Travel' has been acquired by Suffolk Norse, the Norfolk and Suffolk County Council owned operator.
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| Soames Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B9R FJ59CBU at Beach Coach Station on hire to Alfa Travel in October 2015 |
Since April, its vehicles have been beginning to find new owners; Buckland of Hacheson. Thomson of Framlingham and Whincop of Peasenhall have all acquired members of the fleet. Soames currently owns some ten vehicles with around five of them moving to Suffolk Norse in early September
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| Another Soames coach at Beach Coach Station - this is Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B10M W6AMS in August 2015 |
The company was founded in around 1920 with its first known vehicle being a Fiat Charabanc which it acquired second hand from another Ipswich business. After some 90 years trading Soames had achieved its position as one of the Ipswich area's major coach companies. Whilst the Soames name will disappear the 'Forget Me Not' trading name will continue with Suffolk Norse
Roy
A mere 10 mins up the road from me. Sad to see the Soames name disappear. A large part of my childhood gone. Spent 9 years as a child riding to school with them.Volvos,Dafs and a large number of Fords.Will seem very strange going past their garage and not looking at the Soames fleet.They always look immaculate.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that.. All the best to tony soames for his retirement.. I uesd the company lots of time.. I can't forget theam whn I hired 2 coach for my wedding from Ipswich to Birmingham on 19th Feb 2012 they give relly good sirvice..
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