Long-standing Tyneside coach operator, Thirwells Coaches has changed ownership and gained a refreshed livery and logo
JH Coaches of Birtley, County Durham has acquired long-standing Tyneside operator Thirwells Coaches. Thirwells was the oldest established family-run private coach company in the area and had achieved over 100 years of coaching in the North East.
The business was formed by John Thirwell and continued with the third generation of grandchildren Ian, John and Sue. When the family retired in late 2019 they sold the business to JH Coaches.
The company released the following statement via its social media page: “We are delighted to announce that on 20 December 2019 JH Coaches acquired Thirlwells Coaches following the retirement of the owners Sue Searl, John and Ian Thirlwell. It is a great honour for us to be given the responsibility of now operating the longest established family-run coach business in Tyneside, established in 1917.
“We are very pleased to confirm that all existing Thirlwells drivers are also retained.
“Thirlwells and JH Coaches will now combine to operate their 2020 Coach Holiday program which is now available to book online at www.jhminibreaks.co.uk.
“Finally, for the foreseeable future we are delighted that Sue Searl and John Thirlwell will be assisting the staff in our travel office on a part-time basis to ensure a smooth transition of the business and help us deal with any queries from existing Thirlwells clients.”
Thirlwells Coaches fleet has now relocated to the JH Coaches depot in Birtley, and a new silver-based livery has been introduced along with a fleet name in the same style as JH Coaches but with the TH highlighted. The acquisition takes the JH Coaches fleet to over 50 vehicles.
