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84 jobs to go as Padarn Bus in Gwynedd closes | 84 jobs to go as Padarn Bus in Gwynedd closes |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A Gwynedd bus firm is to close due to 'financial issues' with the loss of 84 jobs. | A Gwynedd bus firm is to close due to 'financial issues' with the loss of 84 jobs. |
Padarn Bus, which runs operates routes from Bangor, Caernarfon, Llanberis and to Beaumaris on Anglesey, said services would cease at midnight on Friday. | Padarn Bus, which runs operates routes from Bangor, Caernarfon, Llanberis and to Beaumaris on Anglesey, said services would cease at midnight on Friday. |
The announcement comes a day after a man, 44, and a women, 28 were arrested following allegations of fraud at the company. | The announcement comes a day after a man, 44, and a women, 28 were arrested following allegations of fraud at the company. |
Alternative transport has been organised on Anglesey. | |
A spokesman for the family-run firm, which runs several school services in the county, said the closure was as a result of losing contracts following the announcement of the police inquiry. | A spokesman for the family-run firm, which runs several school services in the county, said the closure was as a result of losing contracts following the announcement of the police inquiry. |
Driver William Freeman, who has worked with the firm for six years, said workers were told the news as they turned up for their shifts early on Friday morning. | Driver William Freeman, who has worked with the firm for six years, said workers were told the news as they turned up for their shifts early on Friday morning. |
"We have no idea what happens next, no one has explained anything properly to us because nobody knows anything. | "We have no idea what happens next, no one has explained anything properly to us because nobody knows anything. |
"There's 80 of us and no one knows where we are going to go from here onwards. | "There's 80 of us and no one knows where we are going to go from here onwards. |
"Things are not very good at the moment." | "Things are not very good at the moment." |
Mr Freeman said some services had been disrupted on Friday morning as some drivers chose not to carry on working. | Mr Freeman said some services had been disrupted on Friday morning as some drivers chose not to carry on working. |
He and others who are on the road have been advised to tell passengers "as from tonight there is no Padarn", he said. | He and others who are on the road have been advised to tell passengers "as from tonight there is no Padarn", he said. |
'Financial issues' | 'Financial issues' |
Insolvency firm Baker Tilly said Padarn Bus directors had instructed them to place the company into creditors' voluntary liquidation. | Insolvency firm Baker Tilly said Padarn Bus directors had instructed them to place the company into creditors' voluntary liquidation. |
"Throughout the past month the directors together with their advisers have been working closely with all stakeholders including the councils, Finance Wales and the Welsh government to try and find a way to preserve the business, but despite their best efforts this was, ultimately, not possible," a spokesman said. | "Throughout the past month the directors together with their advisers have been working closely with all stakeholders including the councils, Finance Wales and the Welsh government to try and find a way to preserve the business, but despite their best efforts this was, ultimately, not possible," a spokesman said. |
The Welsh government said on Thursday that it would work with Gwynedd council to minimise any disruption to passengers from any service withdrawals by the company. | The Welsh government said on Thursday that it would work with Gwynedd council to minimise any disruption to passengers from any service withdrawals by the company. |
Gwynedd council said it was looking for firms to run alternative services and its first priority was to ensure school transport would be provided from Monday. | Gwynedd council said it was looking for firms to run alternative services and its first priority was to ensure school transport would be provided from Monday. |
Information about replacement services will be published on the council's website. | Information about replacement services will be published on the council's website. |
Alternative transport on Anglesey will be provided by Arriva Buses Wales, Gwynfor Coaches and O R Jones Llanfaethlu. | Alternative transport on Anglesey will be provided by Arriva Buses Wales, Gwynfor Coaches and O R Jones Llanfaethlu. |
There will be with no changes to bus timetables on Anglesey services and the new operators will accept Padarn Bus season tickets. | There will be with no changes to bus timetables on Anglesey services and the new operators will accept Padarn Bus season tickets. |
Finance Wales, which backs small and medium business in Wales, confirmed it invested in Padarn Bus, but said it could not comment on the details of its investments. | Finance Wales, which backs small and medium business in Wales, confirmed it invested in Padarn Bus, but said it could not comment on the details of its investments. |
Padarn Bus, set up 25 years ago, is one of the largest bus operators in the county and runs local bus services, school coaches as well as private hire vehicles. | Padarn Bus, set up 25 years ago, is one of the largest bus operators in the county and runs local bus services, school coaches as well as private hire vehicles. |
The company also runs the popular Snowdon Sherpa bus routes linking villages around some of the most popular tourist walks around Snowdon. | The company also runs the popular Snowdon Sherpa bus routes linking villages around some of the most popular tourist walks around Snowdon. |