Over 4,000 people visit the operator, raising almost £6,000 for charity
Epsom Coaches has held its 2015 open day, attracting a large number of visitors from all over the UK and mainland Europe.
A wide variety of both past and present vehicles were on display at the event. These included a 1951 Duble-bodied Bedford, a 1962 AEC Reliance and a 1920 Model T Ford amongst many other heritage vehicles, along with vehicles still in service like a New Routemaster and 2015 Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.
The area was well supported by suppliers too. The travel fair included representatives from Best Western Hotels, the CPT and the Guild of British Coach Operators, while the Trade Exhibition at the event featured Alexander Dennis, EvoBus UK, RWT Commercials and Cummins Engines, amongst others.
The Suppliers area (normally the workshop) included a giant screen, where the operator previewed its new video. Shot in HD, it was designed to show a ‘normal’ day in the space of 10 minutes, with every aspect of the company’s operation from dawn to dusk. This will also be launched onto the Epsom Coaches website shortly.
Epsom Coaches also arranged a veteran bus service to and from the site, along with courtesy coaches, and over 2,500 of those attending used these services.
The event was a great success. The queue to enter stretched for over 100 metres throughout the event, though everyone was good natured and was kept entertained as they waited. Total attendance was 4,232, with 200 staff and exhibitors present and almost £6,000 raised for the Epsom & Ewell Community Fund.
Managing Director Steve Whiteway said: “We hold these events every five years and a tremendous amount of work goes into them, but it is all very worthwhile when you witness the tremendous loyalty and support Epsom Coaches has both locally and much further afield. Visitors from all over the UK and Europe were amongst those we entertained on the day.
“As well as raising funds for a very worthwhile charity, the tremendous team spirit shown by our staff and support from our suppliers confirms that once again, the ‘Epsom Spirit’ is very much alive and appreciated by those we serve, as the numbers attending this year exceeded all records.
“We are now planning for our centenary celebrations in 2020.”
