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The winners of these awards deliver consistently excellent customer service. The operators demonstrate their success through sustained effort.

They show that they:

• are financially sound
• maintain high operational and engineering standards
• give priority to the Health and Safety of staff and passengers through comprehensive risk management
• invest in their fleet and staff
• form effective partnerships
• identify with and respond to the communities they serve
• always strive to sustain and grow the market for coaches and coach services.

As well as this award for the smaller operators, there are two others for businesses with fleets of between 16 and 50 and over 51 vehicles. There are three awards depending on fleet size, being:

From the winners of these three awards, the judges chose an overall winner, named UK Coach Operator of the Year.

For each of the categories, customer nominations were sought from group organisers and other industry clients. Nominated operators are also  invited to submit further information to the judges. The judging process also includes 'mystery shopping' of the nominated operators to test their commitment to customer service.

Winner, Gold Award, - Anthony's Travel

Anthony's Travel is an award winning family owned coach company established in 1985. The company is celebrating its 30th year of operation with a fleet of 16 coaches and minicoaches and employing 30 staff. By 'daring to be different' Anthony's Travel continues to offer coach travel solutions to a wide variety of national and international clients

Anthony's are no strangers to these awards - a well-established local family business which has service, quality and the local community at its heart. The Judges were particularly impressed by the significant work they do in their local community.

Winner, Silver Award, - Woods Travel

Woods Travel has been providing quality transport and hol;days for over 44 years and has grown to run a fleet of 17 vehicles and employing more than 45 people. Woods carries over 5,000 customers each year on its own coach holidays. It also has a fully independent ABTA travel agency and carries over 9,000 customers on private hire work and its own day excursion programme.

Woods are now strangers to the winne'rs podium, being a previous winner of this award and of the title of UK Coach Operator of the Year in 2013. The judges were once again hugely impressed by the professionalism, dedication and high standards evident in all aspects of the business, and were pleased to make a silver award in what was a very close contest indeed.

Winner, Bronze Award, - Parrys International Tours

Parrys International was established over 40 years ago by current MD, David Parry. The company emloys 35 staff and operates 13 luxury touring coaches as well as two mini coaches and four non-PCV vehicles. Parrys' main business is coach holidays and tours sold directly to the public through brochures and the website, and there is also a small amount of private hire.

A well respected and highly regarded tour operator, Parrys International have built an enviable reputation in providing a high class product aimed at discerning clientele. The judges were impressed with the evidence of the work that goes in to making all of this happen and the attention to detail demonstrated by the owner, Dave Parry, himself. A true innovator, it was clear he stamps his own authority on the business which is reflected in the passenger numbers carried and the satisfaction levels achieved.

Finalist, - Ingleby's Luxury Coaches

Inglebys Luxury Coaches was founded in 1968 and operates 15 coaches with 23 members of staff. It is a small company with family values that has grown on the back of providing a first class service to long established customers. The company has always focused on providing private hire to local customers.

The company has experienced major change over the last two years, with the retirement of the previous owner and the updating of booking and other systems. The judges were impressed that the changes had been managed without the loss of the ethos which had built up a business based on loyal and long-standing customers and employees.

Who could be nominated?

The awards are open to all operators of coaches for hire to the general public or used on tours and excurions.

... and by whom?

Group organisers and other clients who hire coaches on an occasional or regular basis were asked to nominate the coach company which has delivered the best service to their groups. Self-nomination was also acceptable.