Grange Travel buys Kings Ferry VIP services

Grange Travel of Gravesend has acquired TKF Football Services Limited following negotiations between its owners, The Kings Ferry, and the commercial directors of Grange Travel, Bryan Smith and Ruth Honey.

The transaction, which was guided by Backhouse Jones legal team, includes seven VIP coaches, six executive coaches and five football team contracts, including Premiership clubs, Fulham and Brentford. The deal is believed to make Grange Travel the second largest football team coach operator after Ellisons Coaches of St Helens.

“I’ve been in the industry for 20 years so this is a really exciting opportunity for Grange Travel to grow our VIP and football team coach operations”, said Ruth Honey, who previously worked at The Kings Ferry when it was in the ownership of the O’Neill family.

The VIP coaches are tabled vehicles with kitchens, WiFi and physio tables, which have been expertly converted by AD Coach Systems. The seven executive VIP coaches comprise five Tourismos, one Irizar i8 Integral and a VanHool Altano.

Grange Travel is no stranger to VIP operations, already running eight VIP coaches and having 13 sports teams within their portfolio: “This transaction strengthens our VIP offering,” said Bryan. “We will grow and develop the relationships with our existing and new customers.”

“Bryan, Graham and I want to thank the team at The Kings Ferry for this opportunity and putting faith in our business to continue the good work. We look forward to the future of our business, for which the possibilities are endless,” said Ruth.