Velvet (bus company): Difference between revisions
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{{Use British English|date=December 2015}} |
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{{Infobox Bus transit |
{{Infobox Bus transit |
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|image_size = 250 |
|image_size = 250 |
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|image_caption = [[Northern Counties Palatine]] bodied<br>[[Volvo B10M]] in April 2009 |
|image_caption = [[Northern Counties Palatine]] bodied<br>[[Volvo B10M]] in April 2009 |
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|owner = Western Greyhound |
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|leader_type = Owner |
|leader_type = Owner |
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|founded = 3 November 2007 |
|founded = 3 November 2007 |
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|ridership = |
|ridership = |
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|fuel_type = |
|fuel_type = |
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|ceo = |
|ceo = Paul Jones |
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|website = [ |
|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20141219100201/http://velvetbus.co.uk/ www.velvetbus.co.uk]}} |
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<!-- Please do NOT replace the full company name with the trading name. See WP:NCCORP#First_sentence --> |
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'''Black Velvet Travel Limited''',<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04994705 Companies House extract company no 4994705] Black Velvet Travel Limited</ref> trading as '''Velvet |
'''Black Velvet Travel Limited''',<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/04994705 Companies House extract company no 4994705] Black Velvet Travel Limited</ref> trading as '''Velvet''', was an English bus company based in [[Eastleigh]], that operated between November 2007 and January 2015. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Velvet was established on 3 November 2007 by former [[Go South Coast]] director Phil Stockley, and in January 2008 began running a temporary shuttle for [[Tesco]] staff.<ref>[http://omnibuses.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/omnibuses-meets-phil-stockley.html Omnibuses meets Phil Stockley] ''Omnibuses'' 16 November 2009</ref> |
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On 25 February 2008, Velvet took over the running of Red Rocket A in [[Eastleigh]], which was given up by previous operator [[Bluestar (bus company)|Solent Blue Line]] as part of their network restructuring.<ref>[ |
On 25 February 2008, Velvet took over the running of Red Rocket A in [[Eastleigh]], which was given up by previous operator [[Bluestar (bus company)|Solent Blue Line]] as part of their network restructuring.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080303153447/http://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/news.shtml February 2008 services changes] Bluestar 30 January 2008</ref> Velvet gained a number of contracts to run other routes, as well as many new commercial ventures. |
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Since the start of 2014, Velvet had been withdrawing or reducing services following what is |
Since the start of 2014, Velvet had been withdrawing or reducing services following what is described as 'a very difficult winter'. On 12 May 2014, Velvet surrendered the contract with [[Hampshire County Council]] to operate route 67 [[Winchester]]-[[West Meon]]-[[Petersfield]], which moved on to [[Xelabus]] and [[Stagecoach South]] operation.<ref>[http://velvetbus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Service-67-FAQs.pdf Bus service 67 - Frequently Asked Questions] Velvet</ref> All [[Barton Peveril College]] routes were transferred to Xelabus on 22 June 2014,<ref>[http://velvetbus.co.uk/barton-peveril-college-buses-upcoming-changes/ Barton Peveril College buses: Upcoming changes] Velvet 13 May 2014</ref> along with the Eastleigh-[[Hedge End]] section of Velvet's A service.<ref>[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/xelabus-takes-velvet-routes/ Xelabus takes on Velvet routes] ''Bus & Coach Buyer''</ref> This followed the collapse of a deal in March 2014 which would have seen Xelabus take over the company.<ref>[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/business/11066546.Bus_merger_collapses/ Merger between Xelabus and Velvet falls through] ''Daily Echo''</ref> |
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On 16 July 2014, the company announced it had ceased trading, with other operators stepping in to cover its services.<ref name=Velvetct>{{cite web|title=We regret to advise that Velvet has ceased trading as of Wednesday 16th July 2014.|url=http://velvetbus.co.uk/|publisher=Velvet|date=16 July 2014| |
On 16 July 2014, the company announced it had ceased trading, with other operators stepping in to cover its services.<ref name=Velvetct>{{cite web|title=We regret to advise that Velvet has ceased trading as of Wednesday 16th July 2014.|url=http://velvetbus.co.uk/|publisher=Velvet|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=EastleighNews16Jul14>{{cite web|last1=Slominski|first1=Stephen|title=Velvet buses cease trading|url=http://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2014/07/velvet-buses-cease-trading/|publisher=Eastleigh News|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}}</ref><ref name=DailyEcho16Jul14>{{cite web|last1=Kusi-Obodum|first1=Maxwell|title=Velvet bus company folds leaving passengers stranded in Eastleigh and Southampton|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11345469.display/|publisher=Southern Daily Echo|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}}</ref> However two days later operations resumed, with the company announcing on [[Twitter]] that it had new owners.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11350184.Bus_company_back_on_the_road_after_last_gasp_bid_to_save_business/?ref=var_0|title = Black Velvet Travel has resumed services just days after entering administration|last = Curtis|first = Joe|date = 18 July 2014|work = Southern Daily Echo|access-date = 18 July 2014}}</ref> Founder and former managing director Phil Stockley commented that the company had not entered any formal insolvency process, and that he would no longer be involved in running Velvet.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stockley|first1=Phil|title=comment on "Bluestar hands M back to Velvet"|url=http://sotonbus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bluestar-hands-m-back-to-velvet.html?showComment=1406032776130#c1346574912286501765|website=Southampton Bus Update|access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> After operating the service for two weeks on an interim basis, Adam Smith purchased the business.<ref>"Buyer found for Black Velvet Travel" ''Coach & Bus Week'' issue 1149 6 August 2014 page 8</ref><ref>[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/adam-smith-takes-black-velvet/ Adam Smith takes on Black Velvet] ''Bus & Coach Buyer'' 6 August 2014</ref><ref>"In Brief" ''[[Buses Magazine|Buses]]'' issue 715 October 2014 page 6</ref> Smith was convicted of possessing counterfeit money a month later, but avoided a prison sentence as jobs at Velvet depended upon him.<ref>[http://www.route-one.net/legal/black-velvet-travel-owner-adam-smith-spared-jail/ Black Velvet Travel owner Adam Smith spared jail] ''Route One magazine''</ref> Velvet's director Michael Bishop took over Cornish independent [[Western Greyhound]] in December 2014, with Smith becoming its managing director.<ref>[http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Troubled-bus-firm-sells-rest-business/story-25717980-detail/story.html Troubled Western Greyhound bus firm sells rest of business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222005102/http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Troubled-bus-firm-sells-rest-business/story-25717980-detail/story.html |date=22 December 2014 }} ''Cornish Guardian''</ref> On 10 January 2015, Velvet ceased operating, with the three remaining routes passing to [[Xelabus]].<ref>[http://xelabus.info/news/article/11/ Xelabus take over Velvet S1, S2 and B4 services] Xelabus</ref><ref>[http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/parking-travel--roads/public-transport/news-and-service-changes.aspx Public Transport Service Changes and News] Eastleigh Borough Council 9 January 2015</ref><ref>"Xelabus purchases Black Velvet assets" ''Coach & Bus Week'' issue 1172</ref> |
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==Services== |
==Services== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{commons category-inline|Black Velvet Travel|Velvet}} |
*{{commons category-inline|Black Velvet Travel|Velvet}} |
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*[ |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141219100201/http://velvetbus.co.uk/ Company website] |
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{{Defunct British Bus Companies}} |
{{Defunct British Bus Companies}} |
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[[Category:Eastleigh]] |
[[Category:Eastleigh]] |
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[[Category:2007 establishments in England]] |
[[Category:2007 establishments in England]] |
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[[Category:2015 disestablishments in England]] |
[[Category:2015 disestablishments in England]] |
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Latest revision as of 11:55, 16 May 2021
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| Founded | 3 November 2007 |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 10 January 2015 |
| Headquarters | Eastleigh |
| Service area | Hampshire |
| Service type | Bus services |
| Chief executive | Paul Jones |
| Website | www.velvetbus.co.uk |
Black Velvet Travel Limited,[1] trading as Velvet, was an English bus company based in Eastleigh, that operated between November 2007 and January 2015.
History
[edit]Velvet was established on 3 November 2007 by former Go South Coast director Phil Stockley, and in January 2008 began running a temporary shuttle for Tesco staff.[2]
On 25 February 2008, Velvet took over the running of Red Rocket A in Eastleigh, which was given up by previous operator Solent Blue Line as part of their network restructuring.[3] Velvet gained a number of contracts to run other routes, as well as many new commercial ventures.
Since the start of 2014, Velvet had been withdrawing or reducing services following what is described as 'a very difficult winter'. On 12 May 2014, Velvet surrendered the contract with Hampshire County Council to operate route 67 Winchester-West Meon-Petersfield, which moved on to Xelabus and Stagecoach South operation.[4] All Barton Peveril College routes were transferred to Xelabus on 22 June 2014,[5] along with the Eastleigh-Hedge End section of Velvet's A service.[6] This followed the collapse of a deal in March 2014 which would have seen Xelabus take over the company.[7]
On 16 July 2014, the company announced it had ceased trading, with other operators stepping in to cover its services.[8][9][10] However two days later operations resumed, with the company announcing on Twitter that it had new owners.[11] Founder and former managing director Phil Stockley commented that the company had not entered any formal insolvency process, and that he would no longer be involved in running Velvet.[12] After operating the service for two weeks on an interim basis, Adam Smith purchased the business.[13][14][15] Smith was convicted of possessing counterfeit money a month later, but avoided a prison sentence as jobs at Velvet depended upon him.[16] Velvet's director Michael Bishop took over Cornish independent Western Greyhound in December 2014, with Smith becoming its managing director.[17] On 10 January 2015, Velvet ceased operating, with the three remaining routes passing to Xelabus.[18][19][20]
Services
[edit]As of July 2014, Velvet operated six routes under contract to Eastleigh Borough Council.[9][10] By November 2014 this had reduced to four.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ Companies House extract company no 4994705 Black Velvet Travel Limited
- ^ Omnibuses meets Phil Stockley Omnibuses 16 November 2009
- ^ February 2008 services changes Bluestar 30 January 2008
- ^ Bus service 67 - Frequently Asked Questions Velvet
- ^ Barton Peveril College buses: Upcoming changes Velvet 13 May 2014
- ^ Xelabus takes on Velvet routes Bus & Coach Buyer
- ^ Merger between Xelabus and Velvet falls through Daily Echo
- ^ "We regret to advise that Velvet has ceased trading as of Wednesday 16th July 2014". Velvet. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ a b Slominski, Stephen (16 July 2014). "Velvet buses cease trading". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ a b Kusi-Obodum, Maxwell (16 July 2014). "Velvet bus company folds leaving passengers stranded in Eastleigh and Southampton". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ Curtis, Joe (18 July 2014). "Black Velvet Travel has resumed services just days after entering administration". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
- ^ Stockley, Phil. "comment on "Bluestar hands M back to Velvet"". Southampton Bus Update. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
- ^ "Buyer found for Black Velvet Travel" Coach & Bus Week issue 1149 6 August 2014 page 8
- ^ Adam Smith takes on Black Velvet Bus & Coach Buyer 6 August 2014
- ^ "In Brief" Buses issue 715 October 2014 page 6
- ^ Black Velvet Travel owner Adam Smith spared jail Route One magazine
- ^ Troubled Western Greyhound bus firm sells rest of business Archived 22 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Cornish Guardian
- ^ Xelabus take over Velvet S1, S2 and B4 services Xelabus
- ^ Public Transport Service Changes and News Eastleigh Borough Council 9 January 2015
- ^ "Xelabus purchases Black Velvet assets" Coach & Bus Week issue 1172
- ^ Route Times Velvet
External links
[edit]
Media related to Velvet at Wikimedia Commons- Company website
