Simply helps south coast student coach firm navigate current period of disruption

Simply, the SME lender, has helped Swanage Taxis Ltd, operating as Linkrider Coaches, restructure its finance agreements to ensure that it can weather the current COVID-19 storm and continue trading.

Linkrider Coaches is a family-run firm that provides student and private coach hire services to the whole of Dorset and the south coast.  Established 35 years ago as Swanage Taxis Ltd, it has seven employees and is one of the longest running passenger hire firms in the region.  Because the bulk of its work is focussed on the transport of students to and from their places of study, there has been no business for the firm since schools closed before Easter.

Simply worked with Nick Hubbard at Linkrider Coaches to create a bespoke payment profile that mirrored the seasonal nature of the business, benefitting the company and giving it as much flexibility as possible.

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Andy Beard, area sales manager at Simply, commented: “I’ve worked with the team at Linkrider Coaches for over ten years so obviously wanted to help in the current circumstances.  Whilst things are more difficult at the moment, the longer-term view is bright for smaller operators such as Linkrider, particularly as there should be a trend for more UK-based day trips and work in general  once we are able to move around a little more.  I’m really glad to have played a small part in saving this business.”

Nick Hubbard at Linkrider Coaches commented: “It’s obviously a difficult time for many businesses.  We contacted Andy as soon as knew what was likely to happen over the next few months and knew that he would go the extra mile for us. He was proactive in rewriting our agreements, thus helping clear our arrears and also doing everything such as asset inspections and document signing remotely.  A number of our competitors are no longer trading and thankfully, due to Simply’s tailored solutions, our business has been spared the same fate.”

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