Brothers fulfil late father’s business vision

Apr 11 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

THE memory of their recently deceased father has inspired two Tyneside businessmen to launch a new tourism service in the region.

David and Eddie Brown inherited Byker-based ERB Services Coach Hire business from their father Eddie Brown senior when he died last June.

His death came as a shock to the brothers who decided to honour his memory by realising his dream to develop ERB Services into a high quality tour and excursion company, reflecting the growth in the region’s tourism economy over recent years.

David and Eddie junior unveiled their new coach, a 49-seat Executive Setra called the Spirit of Eddie, in the shadow of the famous Byker Wall.

Eddie, who was married to Norma for 50 years, was one of eight children. He was born to Thomas Robson Brown and Sarah Washbourne in Gateshead on February 9, 1935.

In 1957, he started working as a bus driver for Newcastle Corporation Transport which later became the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive, working his way up the ranks until the mid 1980s.

Following the de-regulation of public transport, Eddie bought a minibus and set up business on his own doing private hires from home, finally building up his family-run enterprise into a fleet of 19 vehicles.

Son David, co-director of the business with his brother, said: “When dad died we were both stunned and felt like most people feel when they lose someone very close to them.

“After all, the business we worked in for all of those years was his.

“But now we’ve used our energies in a positive way, and because dad was always proud to be a North Easterner, we decided to follow his unfulfilled dream and become involved in the rapidly growing tourism industry within our region.”