End of the road for proud Welsh family-run operator
Caernarfon-based coach operator Silver Star Coach Holidays Limited has entered administration after 93 years of operation.
The family-run firm, which also trades under the Welsh name Seren Arian, was founded in 1918 and operated local bus services in the Caernarfon area from its Rhosgadfan garage.
The firm later began offering holiday trips to destinations within Britain and abroad. In November 2011, local bus services were sold to fellow Gwynedd indepdent Express Motors of Penygroes, with four vehicles and several staff moving to the company.
A heritage tour service, branded as Snowdonia and Menai Strait Vintage Coach Tours, was introduced in 2009 and utilised two 1950s vehicles.
Silver Star was named Best Coach Tour Operator at the Coach Tourism Awards in 2008. In the same year a new office in Wrexham was opened, though this was shut last year. At the Wrexham National Eisteddfod in August, Silver Star Holidays donated the festival chair.
The firm is part of aof the Bonded Coach Holiday (BCH) scheme, run by CPT, and is now working with the administrators to refund monies paid for package holidays that will no longer be run.
Elfyn Thomas, MD, said: “It is with deep regret I announce Silver Star is no longer able to trade. We have tried everything to salvage the business, but have unfortunately failed to withstand the effects of the recession and ever increasing fuel costs.
“Our main concern at this point is to reassure all our customers who have paid a deposit or the full amount for a coach holiday, which they will be fully refunded.”
Mr Thomas offered his thanks to the staff and customers who had been loyal over the years and for their support during “difficult times.”
