Coach operator Elcock Reisen enters administration

[MasterSpenny]

The coach operator Elcock Reisen of Telford, Shropshire, unexpectedly went into administration on Wednesday 23rd August. Although tours were still taking place the day before, all future bookings have been cancelled and its offices will be closed as of Friday 25th August. Refunds for cancelled tours are expected to be a task for the administrators.

The company placed thirteen new coaches into service last year and had looked set to capitalise on a rejuvenated coach travel market following the Covid pandemic.

Previously greengrocers and game dealers, the company from Much Wenlock started operating char-a-bancs on day trips and private hires after the First World War. The area's famous Iron Bridge (after which the Ironbridge Gorge is named) still features on the coaches today.

The business, under the name M H Elcock & Son Ltd., held an international O-licence for 35 vehicles at the time of going into adminstration.

Route One article on this:

Elcock Reisen placed into administration after 95 years - routeone

Long-established Shropshire coach operator Elcock Reisen abruptly collapsed into administration on 23 August.

www.route-one.net

Shropshire coach operator Elcock Reisen abruptly entered administration on 23 August. In a brief statement via which the development was announced “with great sorrow,” the business notes that all future bookings have been cancelled and that it is in the process of contacting customers, but also that as of Friday 25 August its offices will be closed.

Significant fleet investment had been made by the operator during 2022, with 13 new coaches arriving last year. That delivery was said at the time to place Elcock Reisen in a strong position to capitalise upon what it described as a “rejuvenated” coach market post-pandemic.

2023 marks Elcock’s 95th anniversary. Upon celebration of 90 years in 2018, the operator noted that the Elcock name “had long been associated with Ironbridge [Gorge] since before the 1900s,” in a nod to its history that began in the village of Much Wenlock.

That early period including activities as a greengrocer and game dealer before the business moved into passenger transport with charabancs after the First World War. The Iron Bridge remained a conspicuous part of its red and silver livery application on modern coaches.

The operator had specialised in private hire, day trips and tours. It had continued to run day trips until at least the day before news of Elcock Reisen entering administration broke. The operator’s website was quickly taken down within hours of the collapse.

Mainstream media sources have suggested that trips up to 2024 were advertised online and that customers with holiday bookings have been advised that reimbursement will be a task for the administrator.

Under the name M H Elcock and Son Ltd, the business held an international O-Licence for 35 vehicles from three operating centres in and around Telford. Further information is awaited on whether a buyer is expected to be found.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've long wondered of this company why the German name, anyone know?

 

[pm2304877]

I've long wondered of this company why the German name, anyone know?

Reisen is German for travel. Did this firm do European work?

 

[Busaholic]

Reisen is German for travel. Did this firm do European work?

The Elcock family formed the firm, so your suggestion has merit.

 

[Flange Squeal]

I've long wondered of this company why the German name, anyone know?

I'm sure I once read somewhere, possibly in a trade magazine article, that they began using the 'Elcock Reisen' trading name after beginning continental work and the family having a soft spot for Germany. I'm afraid I can't quote a definitive source for this though, as I can't remember where I read it or find reference to it online.