Plymouth Citycoach, the coach holiday division of Go-Ahead-owned Plymouth Citybus, has announced job losses after its business was forced to suspend operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
None of its range of holidays, short breaks and day trips have been able to go ahead as originally planned during recent months, meaning customers have required refunds. According to the Plymouth Herald, the operator says it won’t be back to work until ‘the end of September at the earliest.’
The firm’s current permanent workforce of seven will now be subject to a redundancy process in an attempt to secure future of the business, which has been operating for over 30 years.
“The decision has been taken to begin a redundancy consultation process for seven staff employed by Plymouth Citycoach, the holiday and day trips company owned and operated by Plymouth Citybus,” a spokesman said.
“Plymouth Citycoach has been operating holidays and trips since the 1980s but had to suspend its operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Plymouth Citycoach suspended its programme of day trips and holidays in March for safety reasons and had cancelled all holidays and trips up to and including this August.
“Staff have been furloughed or are working remotely to refund customers in full for their cancelled holidays and trips.
“The entire coaching industry has come under financial pressure in recent weeks and Plymouth Citycoach is no exception, with the loss of income and retaining coach maintenance, insurance and depreciation costs, a review of its costs and future operations was necessary.”
