OBITUARY: Eddie Harker

A local newspaper has reported the loss of Eddie Harker, founder and co-owner of Harker’s Coaches, based in Tudor Road, South Shields. The firm has traded for more than 50 years, and is now run by his son, Jason, who joined the family business back in 1986.

Eddie set the company up after a spell working at Northern Buses in the 1970s, said the Shields Gazette. He bought a second-hand ex-police minibus which he painted and converted himself, starting his private coach business Harker’s Coaches.

In 1980, the coach firm moved into a purpose built premises on Tudor Road, where it continues to operate from today. Harker’s Coaches has served many South Tyneside schools and also offered international tours abroad.