A century-old Isle of Wight coach company has been bought by Xelabus, reports the Isle of Wight County Press. Eastleigh-based Xelabus has acquired the trading assets of Seaview Services of Sandown on the Isle of Wight.
After 100 years of trading, the family-owned coach firm decided to sell the company, which was formed in 1922 by owner of Seafield Garage Richard Newell. He introduced a bus service between Ryde and Seaview using a former wartime ambulance converted to carry passengers. The firm has been in the hands of the Robinson family since 1979.
Managing Director of Xelabus Gareth Blair told the newspaper: “This acquisition provides Xelabus with a platform for further growth in the private hire, coach tours and corporate markets, as well as strengthening its network in Hampshire.
“We have been looking at a coaching division for some while and as we already operate a large number of school and college contracts we regularly receive requests for coach hire for longer distance.”
The company will continue to trade as Seaview Services, but under the umbrella of a new Xelacoach brand. Two additional Euro VI PSVAR coaches have already been obtained for Seaview Services through Mistral Bus and Coach.
