Jonathan Welch speaks to the enthusiastic team behind National Coach Network to find out how they are dispelling the traditional image of coach brokers
Everyone who has been involved in the coach trade, especially in private hire, will have at least heard of coach brokers, and many will have experience of working with the myriad of brokers out there over the years. And I think it’s fair to say that although most operators will have had positive experiences and enjoyed the additional work stream, there has been some apprehension about coach brokers from many in the industry. Myself included. So it was interesting to meet the team behind National Coach Network at Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham last year, and I was keen to follow up on that short chat with a more detailed look at what NCN can offer, and how it aims to set itself apart.
The very first thing I noticed that sets National Coach Network apart was its office space. No grim portakabin in the corner of an operator’s yard here, nor even a non-descript city centre office. Located just a short distance from Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens in the city’s up and coming Ancoats area, NCN’s office is located in a trendy red brick former industrial building, and accessed by a spiral staircase off a small courtyard. A warm welcome from Marketing Manager Mark Williams, who showed me into the smart open-plan office and introduced me to the young, enthusiastic team, added to the sense that this is a modern, forward thinking business.
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