Velvet (bus company)

Velvet was established on 3 November 2007 by former Go South Coast director Phil Stockley, and in January 2008 began running a temporary shuttle for Tesco staff.[http://omnibuses.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/omnibuses-meets-phil-stockley.html Omnibuses meets Phil Stockley] Omnibuses 16 November 2009

On 25 February 2008, Velvet took over the running of Red Rocket A in Eastleigh, which was given up by previous operator Solent Blue Line as part of their network restructuring.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080303153447/http://www.bluestarbus.co.uk/news.shtml February 2008 services changes] Bluestar 30 January 2008 Velvet gained a number of contracts to run other routes, as well as many new commercial ventures.

Since the start of 2014, Velvet had been withdrawing or reducing services following what is described as 'a very difficult winter'. On 12 May 2014, Velvet surrendered the contract with Hampshire County Council to operate route 67 Winchester-West Meon-Petersfield, which moved on to Xelabus and Stagecoach South operation.[http://velvetbus.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Service-67-FAQs.pdf Bus service 67 - Frequently Asked Questions] Velvet All Barton Peveril College routes were transferred to Xelabus on 22 June 2014,[http://velvetbus.co.uk/barton-peveril-college-buses-upcoming-changes/ Barton Peveril College buses: Upcoming changes] Velvet 13 May 2014 along with the Eastleigh-Hedge End section of Velvet's A service.[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/xelabus-takes-velvet-routes/ Xelabus takes on Velvet routes] Bus & Coach Buyer This followed the collapse of a deal in March 2014 which would have seen Xelabus take over the company.[http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/business/11066546.Bus_merger_collapses/ Merger between Xelabus and Velvet falls through] Daily Echo

On 16 July 2014, the company announced it had ceased trading, with other operators stepping in to cover its services.{{cite web|title=We regret to advise that Velvet has ceased trading as of Wednesday 16th July 2014.|url=http://velvetbus.co.uk/|publisher=Velvet|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Slominski|first1=Stephen|title=Velvet buses cease trading|url=http://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2014/07/velvet-buses-cease-trading/|publisher=Eastleigh News|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Kusi-Obodum|first1=Maxwell|title=Velvet bus company folds leaving passengers stranded in Eastleigh and Southampton|url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11345469.display/|publisher=Southern Daily Echo|date=16 July 2014|access-date=16 July 2014}} However two days later operations resumed, with the company announcing on Twitter that it had new owners.{{Cite news|url = http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11350184.Bus_company_back_on_the_road_after_last_gasp_bid_to_save_business/?ref=var_0|title = Black Velvet Travel has resumed services just days after entering administration|last = Curtis|first = Joe|date = 18 July 2014|work = Southern Daily Echo|access-date = 18 July 2014}} Founder and former managing director Phil Stockley commented that the company had not entered any formal insolvency process, and that he would no longer be involved in running Velvet.{{cite web|last1=Stockley|first1=Phil|title=comment on "Bluestar hands M back to Velvet"|url=http://sotonbus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bluestar-hands-m-back-to-velvet.html?showComment=1406032776130#c1346574912286501765|website=Southampton Bus Update|access-date=23 July 2014}} After operating the service for two weeks on an interim basis, Adam Smith purchased the business."Buyer found for Black Velvet Travel" Coach & Bus Week issue 1149 6 August 2014 page 8[http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/adam-smith-takes-black-velvet/ Adam Smith takes on Black Velvet] Bus & Coach Buyer 6 August 2014"In Brief" Buses issue 715 October 2014 page 6 Smith was convicted of possessing counterfeit money a month later, but avoided a prison sentence as jobs at Velvet depended upon him.[http://www.route-one.net/legal/black-velvet-travel-owner-adam-smith-spared-jail/ Black Velvet Travel owner Adam Smith spared jail] Route One magazine Velvet's director Michael Bishop took over Cornish independent Western Greyhound in December 2014, with Smith becoming its managing director.[http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Troubled-bus-firm-sells-rest-business/story-25717980-detail/story.html Troubled Western Greyhound bus firm sells rest of business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222005102/http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Troubled-bus-firm-sells-rest-business/story-25717980-detail/story.html |date=22 December 2014 }} Cornish Guardian On 10 January 2015, Velvet ceased operating, with the three remaining routes passing to Xelabus.[http://xelabus.info/news/article/11/ Xelabus take over Velvet S1, S2 and B4 services] Xelabus[http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/parking-travel--roads/public-transport/news-and-service-changes.aspx Public Transport Service Changes and News] Eastleigh Borough Council 9 January 2015"Xelabus purchases Black Velvet assets" Coach & Bus Week issue 1172

As of July 2014, Velvet operated six routes under contract to Eastleigh Borough Council. By November 2014 this had reduced to four.[http://velvetbus.co.uk/routes-times/ Route Times] Velvet

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{commons category-inline|Black Velvet Travel|Velvet}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141219100201/http://velvetbus.co.uk/ Company website]

{{Defunct British Bus Companies}}

Category:Eastleigh

Category:2007 establishments in England

Category:2015 disestablishments in England

Category:Former bus operators in Hampshire