Another long established Norfolk coach operator is to close at the end of the year. Spratts Coaches of Wreningham is to cease operating at the end of December with all current 11 coaches expecting to be sold.
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| Two of the Spratts fleet seen at Great Yarmouth's Beach Coach Station earlier this year |
This is the third Norfolk operator to go in the last six months following the closure of Richard's Coaches of Guist in November and Reynolds Coaches during August this year. Whilst I had heard that Richard's had closed, I could find no official confirmation and I also understood that Spratts might continue until the end of the school year - obviously that decision has been brought forward.
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| Another Spratts visitor to Beach Coach Station in August last year |
The company was established in the late 1950s by the late Colin Spratt who originally began as a taxi operator. At one time the fleet totalled some 30 vehicles and was one of the first privately owned coach companies in the county to adapt a coach to take disabled passengers. The current owner has decided to retire and there was nobody in the family wanting to take over the business.
All existing staff have found jobs elsewhere with three local companies agreeing to take on Spratts' existing work commitments.
Roy
Sad to see another long established family firm close, a sign of the times.
ReplyDeleteApart from their modern fleet Spratt's have a couple of classic coaches.
WLO 685 a 1959 Bedford SB Duple Super Vega acquired from Sidelines in January 2018 and also NRY 22W a Bedford YLQ Duple Dominant 2 (requiring ongoing restoration) that was new to the company. Both are for sale.
Many thanks for the information John - I see from your later post on ATVBF that Bedford SB (WLO685) has been sold to Easton, Stratton Strawless, and will be taking delivery today
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