Coach business driving into a better future

Feb 12 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A FAMILY-RUN coach business which faced a bleak future after the loss of its main source of income has refocused with support from Business Link and is now going back into top gear.

Henry Cooper, a filling station and executive coach works in Annitsford near Cramlington since 1920, lost most of its business when DFDS Ferries ended sailings between Newcastle and Norway.

Graham Greaves, who owns the company which bears his grandfather’s name, said: “The end of the DFDS ferry route had a big impact on the company.

“During peak times we were carrying 300 passengers a day to and from their hotels. And having built the business on the ferry route, which went back for as long as I can remember, we needed to find new business, so approached Business Link for support.” Business Link initially conducted a business health check to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the company.

The findings illustrated the need for Henry Cooper to increase its marketing and were used to assess a subsequent successful application for investment.