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Velvet (bus company)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Castroex (talk | contribs) at 00:32, 12 November 2014 (Parent field used in the absence of Owner field in infobox, parent is in effect the shareholder, which in the case of a sole trader is an individual). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Velvet
Northern Counties Palatine bodied
Volvo B10M in April 2009
ParentAdam Smith
Founded3 November 2007
HeadquartersEastleigh
Service areaHampshire
Service typeBus services
Websitewww.velvetbus.co.uk

Black Velvet Travel Limited,[1] trading as Velvet or Velvetbus, is an English bus company based in Eastleigh, that commenced operating in November 2007.

History

The company was established on 3 November 2007 by former Go South Coast manager Phil Stockley, and in January 2008 it commenced 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 have been withdrawing or reducing services following what is describes 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 is now operated by Xelabus. Stagecoach South also operate some commercial schoolday services between Winchester and West Meon Hut.[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.

On 16 July 2014, the company announced it had ceased trading.[6][7][8] However two days later operations resumed, with the company announcing on Twitter that it had new owners.[9] 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.[10] After operating the service for two weeks on an interim basis, Adam Smith purchased the business.[11][12][13]

Services

As of July 2014, Velvet operated six routes under contract to Eastleigh Borough Council.[7][8][14]

References

  1. ^ Companies House extract company no 4994705 Black Velvet Travel Limited
  2. ^ Omnibuses meets Phil Stockley Omnibuses 16 November 2009
  3. ^ February 2008 services changes Bluestar 30 January 2008
  4. ^ Bus service 67 - Frequently Asked Questions Velvet
  5. ^ Barton Peveril College buses: Upcoming changes Velvet 13 May 2014
  6. ^ "We regret to advise that Velvet has ceased trading as of Wednesday 16th July 2014". Velvet. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  7. ^ a b Slominski, Stephen (16 July 2014). "Velvet buses cease trading". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Curtis, Joe (18 July 2014). "Black Velvet Travel has resumed services just days after entering administration". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  10. ^ Stockley, Phil. "comment on "Bluestar hands M back to Velvet"". Southampton Bus Update. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Buyer found for Black Velvet Travel" Coach & Bus Week issue 1149 6 August 2014 page 8
  12. ^ Adam Smith takes on Black Velvet Bus & Coach Buyer 6 August 2014
  13. ^ "In Brief" Buses issue 715 October 2014 page 6
  14. ^ Route Times Velvet
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