Scottish bus company in liquidation with all staff redundant

The Herald Scotland

5 hours ago

I reported last month that James Dewar and Alistair McAlinden from Interpath were appointed as joint provisional liquidators and two local authorities are making arrangements for affected school travel.
Dundee-based Fishers Tours private hire coach company provided short and long-distance travel in Scotland.
The company employed 27 people and operated from Mid Craigie Industrial Estate with a fleet of 18 coaches.
The liquidator said: "In recent months, the business has faced financial challenges amidst rising costs but operated with fixed price customer contracts, which impacted its ability to meet its financial obligations."
The business ceased trading and on appointment of the joint provisional liquidators all staff were made redundant.
The liquidator also told The Herald: "All services, including pre-booked hires, group travel and music event travel, have ceased. Customers with bookings are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements, while customers who have paid deposits are advised to speak to their bank or credit card provider."
Dundee City Council and Angus Council are "making arrangements to ensure the continuity of school transport services".
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Alistair McAlinden, managing director at Interpath and joint provisional liquidator of Fishers Tours Limited, said: "Fishers Tours has been a core part of the local transport network in the Dundee City and Angus region for more than two decades and we recognise the devastating impact the closure of the business will have on staff, customers and wider community.
"Regrettably, all bookings and services have been cancelled and customers are advised to seek alternative arrangements and engage with their bank or credit card provider if a deposit has been paid. As provisional liquidators, our immediate focus is to explore the circumstances of the liquidation and support affected employees to ensure they have access to the necessary guidance in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office."
'Multi-billion redevelopment' of nuclear submarine base
Plans have been unveiled for the 'multi-decade' programme. (Image: PA) Elsewhere last month, there was momentous news on the 'multi-billion' pound redevelopment of a nuclear submarine base in Scotland.
Plans have been unveiled for the 'multi-decade' work at the Faslane base which is the Royal Navy's main presence north of the Border. An initial £250 million of funding over three years will support 'jobs, skills and growth'.
The move was announced as part of the UK Government's Spending Review nuclear strategy that includes the £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C plant in Suffolk.
The new "Clyde 2070 programme represents one of the most significant and sustained UK Government investments in Scotland over the coming decades". It said it demonstrates commitment to UK defence and bringing the economic, skills and employment benefits to Scotland, "driving defence as an engine for economic growth and supporting the government's Plan for Change".
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The £250m allocated immediately for the next three years 'will help adapt and improve the working environment and infrastructure at the site, preparing it to welcome the new Dreadnought Class of deterrent submarines and SSN-AUKUS, the Royal Navy's next generation of attack submarines'.
As part of the Strategic Defence Review, the UK Government has committed to build up to 12 SSN-AUKUS submarines, which will replace the current fleet of Astute Class attack submarines.
The Defence Nuclear Enterprise - the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew and sustain the UK's nuclear deterrent as part of a national endeavour – is "investing to sustain the deterrent for as long as required".
Ian Murray, Scottish Secretary, said: "This extra £250m investment for HMNB Clyde is another fantastic example of how Scotland is at the heart of the UK defence policy.
"As home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service - including the UK's nuclear deterrent - HMNB Clyde will play a crucial role for decades to come as we restore Britain's readiness, deter our adversaries and help drive economic growth across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.
"Over 6,500 military and civilian personnel are employed at HMNB Clyde, making it the second largest employment site in Scotland, with a total of around 25,600 jobs across Scotland supported by an annual multi-billion pound Ministry of Defence investment."
John Healey, Defence Secretary, said: "We have an unwavering commitment to our nuclear-powered submarines. The long-term, sustained investment for HMNB Clyde will provide the infrastructure necessary to keep our submarines maintained and at sea - continuing to protect us around the clock.
"This funding, and the continued dedication and skill of the men and women that help build and operate our submarines, will ensure we are able to meet the threats we face, while supporting the Plan for Change and showing how defence is an engine for growth, creating good jobs across Scotland."