Market Drayton’s only coach operator went out of business this week.
Butter’s Coaches, which is based at Maer Lane Industrial Estate in Llewellyn Roberts Way, went into liquidation on Wednesday after nearly 80 years’ trading.
It was started in 1930 by Charles Hamilton Butter, a blacksmith who set up a taxi business in Market Drayton after World War I.
The company was used regularly by schools in the Market Drayton area, as well as Market Drayton Old Folks Club whose trip to Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire had to be cancelled when Butter’s demise was confirmed.
Club secretary Sylvia Sloan said: “We didn’t know until 3.45pm on Wednesday when we were told that we wouldn’t be going on the trip.
“We’d used them for 10 to 15 years and it’s sad because Market Drayton isn’t going to have any coach companies at all now.
“We’ve had good service from Butter’s but it was a bit disappointing to be told that late and we’ve had to let 53 people down.”
No one at Butter’s Coaches was available for comment but Market Drayton mayor and chamber of trade chairman Councillor Roy Aldcroft said: “It’s a great shame as it’s a long-established firm with great credentials.
“It’s a bit awful if they’ve got financial problems and I just hope somebody somewhere can put a package together to keep it going.”
Laura Owen from Shropshire Council’s strategic transport and highways department said: “Butters Coaches went into liquidation on Wednesday at around 12.30pm and Shropshire Council worked hard to quickly find replacement operators to cover their school routes.
“Four bus companies – Longmynd Travel, Bennetts Travel, NCB Motors and Ultimate Taxis – are covering the Butter’s routes to schools, including the Grove School and Market Drayton Junior School, and will continue to do so until a permanent replacement is found.
“Shropshire Council will go out to tender for a replacement operator in September and should award a new, five year contract by January 2010.”
By Winston Brown
