Perryman's Buses taken over by West Coast Motors

Richard and Linda Perryman with one of the small bus operator awards they won, will work to a different timetable after seling the business

What started out as a father and son business running two taxis, adding a mini bus to the fleet the following year, grew over the decades to become an award winning and widely respected family owned bus and coach operator.

Richard Perryman started the business with his father, and was joined by his wife Linda then his son Roddy. Over 44 years the business became a major player in public transport in the Borders and north Northumberland, employing 75 people, running 45 buses and coaches and operating cross border bus services from Berwick to the central borders, east coast bus services between Berwick and Edinburgh and town services in Berwick.

As the business expanded its depot and company headquarters moved from Burnmouth to Berwick and they currently have a second depot in St Boswells.

Speaking about their acquisition of Perrymans, West Coast Motors managing director Colin Craig, said: “Perryman’s Buses is a successful and very well-run business thanks to the efforts of Richard, Linda and their son Roddy and we will ensure that it is very much business as usual for all Perryman’s customers.

“It is very much our aim to continue the good work undertaken previously as well as to build on this with further investment in fleet and customer focused systems in the coming years.

“We very much look forward to working with the existing team at Perryman’s,”

Adding his thoughts, Richard Perryman said: “After 44 years in business I am immensely proud of what our family has achieved, I am confident the business will be in great hands under the ownership of Colin.

“West Coast Motors are one of the most respected independent operators in UK and share many similarities with our operation.

“Linda and I would like to thank our many customers and extend a special thank you to our staff for the support they have given us over many years, it’s very much business as usual with our son Roddy and his superb local teams continuing the story during this exciting new chapter in the history of the company.”