Shamrock buses of Poole

[robertclark125]

This firm, founded in 2002, and with a very high standard of presentation, has sadly gone bust

http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=5620&categoryid=0

www.shamrockandrambler.co.uk

I wonder if this is linked to the go ahead group winning all the Dorset COunty Council school contracts?

 

[mbonwick]

I believe that was the main reason for closure, yes.

 

[robertclark125]

On the Bournemouth Echo website, the comments about this story critisise the council for doing so. But, at the same time, if the Go Ahead Group provided the cheapest tender for each package offered, there's really little the council can do. If it offered work to Shamrock, even though their bid was £15k dearer than W&D, the council comes in for critisism. If the give it to the cheaper bidder, they come in for critisism. Poor DCC can't win.

As for the comment from Go Ahead that other small firms could face the same fate, what's peoples opinions on that?

 

[mbonwick]

That's the way life goes. I don't see why any operator should be shown sympathy.

Most of the drivers will be protected by TUPE anyway...

 

[BestWestern]

On the Bournemouth Echo website, the comments about this story critisise the council for doing so. But, at the same time, if the Go Ahead Group provided the cheapest tender for each package offered, there's really little the council can do. If it offered work to Shamrock, even though their bid was £15k dearer than W&D, the council comes in for critisism. If the give it to the cheaper bidder, they come in for critisism. Poor DCC can't win.

As for the comment from Go Ahead that other small firms could face the same fate, what's peoples opinions on that?

I was mildly amused by the statement that the guy 'fears' that other smaller operators might face the same fate. He works for a big group, does he really 'fear' that coming?! I think not!

 

[bb21]

It would seem that the size of Damory's fleet is going to swell by 400% from 60 to 240.

 

[Oracle]

Saw a Damory-liveried VR a few days ago...was this preserved or have they still got any at Poole?

 

[BestWestern]

I have a feeling it's a 'heritage' vehicle still in the fleet of W&D but semi-preserved or something along those lines. Though I might be wrong!

 

[90019]

Shamrock had a few ex-Lothian Olympians, didn't they?
I know they had at least a couple of RHs, but didn't they get some Royales as well?

 

[BestWestern]

Shamrock had a few ex-Lothian Olympians, didn't they?
I know they had at least a couple of RHs, but didn't they get some Royales as well?

Yup, they certainly had at least one Royale, and very smart it looked too! There was just the one solitary ALX400 in the mix also, I have a feeling it was an ex-London (presumably Arriva) DAF? The Lothian RH's always looked good, too.