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Fraser Eagle was a group of companies in the United Kingdom specialising in passenger transport, travel and logistics. Services included pre-planned and emergency coach and taxi services nationwide, corporate travel, event transport, incident management transport and destination management services. These services were provided mainly to the corporate sector.
It provided coach tours and independent travel agency services to the consumer sector. The company was placed in
The company started out as an Accrington based coach company in 1919, transporting holidaymakers to the coastal resorts in England and Scotland. The company was formed by Harold Williams and Ward Knowles, and they later expanded to include tours and excursions across Europe.
The company expanded rapidly in the 1990s, when it began providing coaches to the rail industry when train services were disrupted, quickly becoming the United Kingdom's leading provider of rail replacement services, a business which exploded in the wake of the disruption following the
''North West Enquirer'' It also managed, plans, and provides replacement coaches in non emergency situations (railway engineering works etc.), acting as a transport
administration
Administration may refer to:
Management of organizations
* Management, the act of directing people towards accomplishing a goal
** Administrative Assistant, traditionally known as a Secretary, or also known as an administrative officer, admini ...
in March 2009.
History
The company started out as an Accrington based coach company in 1919, transporting holidaymakers to the coastal resorts in England and Scotland. The company was formed by Harold Williams and Ward Knowles, and they later expanded to include tours and excursions across Europe.
The company expanded rapidly in the 1990s, when it began providing coaches to the rail industry when train services were disrupted, quickly becoming the United Kingdom's leading provider of rail replacement services, a business which exploded in the wake of the disruption following the Hatfield rail crash
The Hatfield rail crash was a railway accident on 17 October 2000, at Hatfield, Hertfordshire. It was caused by a metal fatigue-induced derailment, killing four people and injuring more than 70.
The accident exposed major stewardship shortco ...
, and the long running modernisation of the West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is one of the most important railway corridors in the United Kingdom, connecting the major cities of London and Glasgow with branches to Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Edinburgh. It is one of the busiest ...
.Kevin Dean, Fraser Eagle''North West Enquirer'' It also managed, plans, and provides replacement coaches in non emergency situations (railway engineering works etc.), acting as a transport
broker
A broker is a person or firm who arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller for a commission when the deal is executed. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal. Neither role should be confu ...
with a database of 5,000 coach and taxi suppliers nationwide. Among others, Fraser Eagle provide replacement transport for Virgin Trains West Coast
Virgin Trains (legal name West Coast Trains Limited) was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Virgin Rail Group, a joint venture between Virgin Group and Stagecoach, which operated the InterCity West Coast franchise fro ...
, winning a £12m three year contract to provide Virgin with around 100,000 taxis a year.
Concern has been expressed from both suppliers and clients about the future commercial viability of Fraser Eagle, particularly in February 2009 when it announced 50 of their 170 staff were being laid off, the closure of Fraser Eagle Cars division and that they would be ending their sponsorship of Accrington Stanley earlier than contracted.
Although claiming this was a result of the financial downturn and increased competition, it seems apparent the story runs deeper with allegations of insolvent trading for several months and many of Fraser Eagle's regular suppliers refusing to take any work on until arrears have been settled, some of which date back to Summer 2008.
These concerns were realised when the company filed for administration on 10 March 2009.
Grand Central
In 2004, Fraser Eagle purchased a 79% shareholding in Grand Central. This was sold in March 2007 to two former managers ofPrism Rail
Prism Rail was formed in July 1995 to bid for rail franchises in the United Kingdom during the privatisation of British Rail. It expressed interest in eighteen franchises, was shortlisted for twelve and was ultimately awarded four, LTS Rail, Va ...
, backed by a private equity group.
Other businesses
The group also managed Fraser Eagle Worldchoice Travel Agent, and Fraser Eagle Cars. They were based inPadiham
Padiham ( ) is a town and civil parish on the River Calder, about west of Burnley, Lancashire, England. It forms part of the Borough of Burnley. Originally by the River Calder, it is edged by the foothills of Pendle Hill to the north-west ...
, Lancashire
Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly.
The non-metropolitan county of Lancash ...
, employing 180 full time staff. They also had offices in Malta
Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...
. Fraser Eagle Cars was established in December 2006.
References
External links
* * {{Defunct British Bus Companies Former coach operators in England Transport companies established in 1919 Transport companies disestablished in 2009 Transport operators of the United Kingdom 1919 establishments in England 2009 disestablishments in England