Coach company Elcock Reisen goes into administration leaving customers unable to go on holiday
A Telford-based coach and travel company has gone into administration leaving hundreds of holidaymakers unable to take their breaks and not knowing if they will get their money back.
Elcock Reisen, which has bases in Telford and Bridgnorth, phoned customers out of the blue on Wednesday to break the bad news.
One senior citizen who had been looking forward to her trip to Norfolk on Sunday, a birthday present from her son, said she was told it could be some time before the money is reimbursed by the administrator.
In a statement on social media, Elcock Reisen, which was due to celebrate its centenary in five years, said: "It is with great sorrow that as of today, Elcock Reisen has gone into administration. Therefore all future bookings, holidays and day trips will no longer be able to go ahead.
"We are contacting customers as quickly as possible however as of Friday all offices will be closed.
"Thank you to everybody for your loyalty and valued custom over the many years we have been in business, best wishes to the future. Take care all."
Later on Wednesday a member of staff at the company's base in Hortonwood told a Shropshire Star reporter: "We will be speaking directly with our customers, we have nothing more to add to the statement that we put out."
A company director, Nick Prince, told BBC Radio Shropshire that 32 jobs are at risk and that rising costs and falling contracts were to blame for the financial problems.
Mr Prince said a takeover was underway but the buyer pulled out and it wasn't feasible to carry on trading.
He added that customers and clients with immediate bookings have been contacted and those with future bookings can call them before 4pm tomorrow. After that the administrators will be in touch.
Last year Elcock Reisen invested in a fleet of new coaches.
It has 30 coaches as well as mini-buses. The company's website advertises its "20-plus drivers".
The company has a school travel section as well as its day trips and holidays. The firm has provided away travel for the Telford branch of the Wolves supporters club.
Advertised in its brochure were a five-week break to Scotland, leaving on August 26, and breaks throughout September and October as well as the traditional 'turkey and tinsel' break in December.
Sheila Offland from Shifnal had been looking forward to a trip to Norfolk leaving on Sunday before she had a phone call earlier today.
"I am in my 80s and really enjoy coach trips," she said.
"I have never used Elcocks before and have never been to East Anglia so was really looking forward to going. It was a birthday present from my son and I know it cost several hundred pounds."
She said when she had the telephone call she asked about reimbursement.
"The lady said that would be down to the administrator," she said.
A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said: “Shropshire Council was made aware today that Elcock Reisen will unfortunately cease trading before the beginning of the school term in September.
“Elcocks has been a valued partner for a number of years, and has operated around 15 school transport contracts for some time.
“Following today’s announcement, we will now work with other bus and coach companies to cover the school transport contracts that Elcocks have been operating. We will ensure details of the new providers are confirmed before the beginning of the new school term, to provide reassurance to pupils and parents.”
Telford and Wrekin Council said it had no contracts with Elcock Reisen.
As well as holidays the company has five day trips advertised on its website for the remainder of August and 20 others that had been planned for the rest of 2023.
