Filers Travel of Ilfracombe ceased trading on 1 September and entered administration, with the Devon operator citing “financial struggle” as the reason for its closure.
In messages posted via its website and social media feeds, the business has apologised to customers. It states that all bookings are cancelled and that day trip or private hire travellers will be contacted by administrators once arrangements have been made. Holiday clients are advised that the matters sit with the ABTOT Bonded Coach Holidays scheme.
Filers was founded in 1969 as a taxi operation before moving into coaches. In a social media post, the company says it has “tried our absolute hardest to stay open and keep serving the community,” with directors Roy and Joe Filer thanking all those who have supported the firm since its formation.
Its O-Licence authorises the operation of 20 vehicles, primarily from Ilfracombe but with two smaller locations elsewhere in Devon also listed. The licence is currently shown as surrender under consideration by the Vehicle Operator Licensing online portal.
Filers’ most recent accounts submitted to Companies House noted how the operator employed an average of 57 staff in the year to 31 March 2024.
The operator was well known for its distinctive maroon Bova Futura coaches, but it had also enjoyed a longstanding involvement in bus services in North Devon. That is understood to have ceased in 2024 with the focus moving entirely to coaches. In the mid-1990s it ran the sole Iveco TurboCity double-decker bus that was built for the UK.
Devon County Council moved quickly to secure home-to-school provision following Filers announcing that it had ceased trading. A spokesperson says: “We were saddened to hear of the closure of Filers Travel, which has worked with Devon County Council for many years.
“We have acted swiftly to ensure that all County Council school routes are being covered by other companies for the start of the new school year without any impact on schoolchildren.”
