‘Sad decision’ to close Plymouth Citycoach

Plymouth Citycoach has closed due to the financial repercussions of COVID-19.

An announcement of its closure was made on its website, which described it as a ‘very sad decision’. Plymouth Citycoach was a holiday and day trips company owned and operated by Plymouth Citybus, part of the Go-Ahead Group.

According to the statement on its website, the loss of passenger booking income, remaining overheads and the introduction of social distancing potentially reducing coach capacities, has eroded the viability of the business.

Plymouth Citycoach had to suspend its programme of day trips and holidays in March and had already cancelled all holidays and trips up to and including this September. Staff have been working remotely to refund customers in full for their cancelled holidays and trips. The company operated as a member of Bonded Coach Holidays.

Unfortunately, six jobs have been lost as a result of the closure. One staff member has taken up the offer of alternative employment within Plymouth Citybus.

The company has been operating since the 1980s.

Plymouth Citybus MD, Richard Stevens, said: “We are devastated that we have had to make this decision and deeply regret the loss of the jobs of our colleagues, all loyal and long-serving staff, but we were faced with no other option due to the effects of the pandemic.

“I would like to thank most sincerely our customers for their support for Plymouth Citycoach over many years and I do appreciate that they will feel the loss of holiday and breaks programme very keenly.”