Family coach business finds new home.

A county coach firm has moved premises after being taken over by new owners.

Hodson Coaches has moved from Navenby to the Enterprise Business Park in Saxilby.

Managing director Alistair Gooseman said the move was a pro-active attempt to look for new business opportunities.

“Basically, the business was being run as a cottage industry,” he said.

“We want to try and move it forward whilst remaining as a family business.”

Mr Gooseman and his family bought Hodson Coaches in July in what he described as an “amicable takeover”.

The previous owners, John and Stephanie Carter, conducted the business of the company from their home in Navenby, but wished to sell-up before beginning their retirement.

“Hodson Coaches has been a family business for 90 years across three generations,” explained Mr Gooseman.

“We want to maintain those same family values and run it exactly like the Carters did.

“We’re going to keep all the same, excellent staff, and offer the same, first class service. We’ve even kept the Carters on as outside consultants.

“We don’t want to expand the fleet or anything like that. We’re going to make sure we keep up-to-date and that the number of services will increase, whilst maintaining the good name of the business, which is important to Lincoln.”

The move to Enterprise Business Park took place on September 1.

Mr Gooseman explained that he found their new commercial home in the Echo’s business supplement.

Lincoln-based Harrison Estate Agents put the Goosemans in touch with the property’s owner, and the transaction was finalised through Langleys Solicitors.

“When we bought the business, the Carter’s allowed us to stay at their old workshop in Navenby for any time up to a year,” he said.

“But we wanted to get our own premises and set up shop.”

The new 5,000 square foot premises boast a modernised workshop, improved parking facilities, and all-new computerised systems.

“We’re currently putting modern computer systems in the coaches and trying to bring everything up to date,” said Mr Gooseman.

“We’re updating everything from records management to a new coach master system, making sure that everything runs as efficient as it can.

“We’re running the business professionally, just like people would expect from an executive coach company.”

As managing director, Mr Gooseman runs the company alongside his immediate family. His wife serves as director, whilst his two sons act as operations director and IT manager respectively.

Hodson Coaches offer a range of vehicles from seven seater mini-buses to 53 seater executive coaches.

For more information visit www.hodsoncoaches.co.uk.