BREAKING: Shock as major North Devon coach company goes into administration

North Devon coach tour operator Filers Travel has shocked the region today (Monday, September 1) by announcing it has gone into administration.

The coach operator, which has been run by the Filer family for 56 years, confirmed rumours that have been circulating since the weekend by posting on its website this afternoon: “Filers Travel Limited has entered administration and has ceased trading.

“We regret to inform you that all bookings have been cancelled.”

The business is well-known to most people in North Devon and operated day trips to attractions and events, coach excursion holidays, coach hire and provided school bus services for Ilfracombe Academy among others.

Rumour had been going around at the weekend and the North Devon Gazette was contacted by a reader on Saturday who said they had booked a trip to Newton Abbot races but their coach never turned up at their Ilfracombe pick up point. They later heard Filers had folded.

Several people have taken to social media today to say they had paid for trips booked in the coming weeks and now fear their money has been lost.

The statement on the Filers website said: “We apologise to all our customers and would like to thank you all for your custom over the past 56 years.”

In relation to cancelled bookings, it added: “For passengers booked on any of our tours, you will be contacted by the ABTOT Bonded Coach Holiday Scheme in due course.

“For passengers booked on any of our day trips, or who have made a private hire booking, you will be contacted once arrangements have been made with the administrators.

“For any queries, please email info@filers.co.uk. An answerphone service is available by calling 01271 863819.”

It is not yet clear how this will affect school bus services, but the Gazette understands Filers have been in talks with Devon County Council and another operator will take them over, but this has yet to be confirmed.

Ilfracombe county councillor Sara Wilson said: “It’s a sad day when a local family firm goes into administration that had been operating for over 50 years in Ilfracombe, the loss of jobs and the sudden loss of their services is a real worry. 

“It’s especially bad timing given that the school term is about to restart and Filers ran a number of school buses, so parents will be worried.

“This bigger picture is that bus services are not invested in enough by public money from government. In our rural area we rely heavily on buses yet we don’t have enough investment in routes. 

“Filers’ closure is leaving a huge hole in the capacity of the local transport network. I’ve already raised my worries at Devon County council which runs the school transport contracts.”