McCarron Coates has renewed its call on coach industry stakeholders to continue to support the sector. It says that coaching is still in the “endangered zone” despite a generally strong summer season for many operators, and that further backing from as many parties as possible will continue to be imperative over the coming 12 months.
The specialist insurance broker will start that by “rallying as much support as it can” for the industry over coming weeks through a “vibrant programme of activity.” That will build on its previous and well-received campaign in support of the sector, christened Wish you could Hear and targeted at MPs.
McCarron Coates is urging the industry’s customers to maintain their support for coaching, but it is also asking finance providers to continue to do as much as they can to assist the sector’s ongoing recovery and asking attractions to reach out to the sector and work with it.
Volumes of coach passengers travelling to events and festivals remain subdued and foreign tours “are extremely problematic,” McCarron Coates adds. It says that driver recruitment is also posing a challenge to the sector, as are staffing shortages at attractions.
The supplier adds that it has also seen evidence of some vehicle finance providers being cautious about “placing their trust” in the sector. McCarron Coates is asking those companies “to extend their finance breaks for another 12 months.” Efforts to secure bespoke backing from the UK government also form part of the insurance broker’s aims.
While it recognises the sector-specific funding provided in Northern Ireland and Scotland, Director Paul Coates (pictured) says: “Coach operators entered the endangered zone last March and have largely stayed there. They are getting no real support from any quarter, other than the odd enlightened finance company that can see that the sector has a strong future but needs time.
“Until UK visitor attractions can welcome coaches again in decent numbers, and until European travel can resume in force, operators continue to face an uphill battle to pay finance on coaches and re-attract drivers. The endangered species of the coach operator can come back fighting, but it needs another year of careful management and unswerving support from all in the chain that rely on coach business.”
