A BUS company which has served Leigh for more than 50 years has been placed on the market after its long-serving founders announced plans to retire.

Jim Stones Coaches, based at its depot on Derby Street, has told Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is up for sale until its proposed date of closure and operation, Saturday, April 18.

The family business, which was established by Joan and Jim Stones in 1968, is on the lookout for buyers at a time when the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has just had a public consultation on whether to introduce a public body controlled bus franchising scheme to the region.

In a statement, a Jim Stones Coaches spokeswoman said: "We regret to advise that due to their poor health Joan and Jim Stones wish to retire and their business is available for sale until the proposed date of closure, and final day of operation, on Saturday, April 18, 2020.

"In addition to this the future of public transport in Greater Manchester is uncertain.

"Our buses have served Leigh for more than 33 years and we must emphasise that we are not going under.

"If a sale is not achieved our drivers will receive their entitlement and we will help them find new jobs.

"We have made TfGM aware of the situation and will continue to keep them informed of any potential sale or closure of the business so that we can, between us, minimise any impact on our customers.

"Thank you to our brilliant team and wonderful passengers for all your support over the years."

Leigh Journal:

Staff at the opening of the Derby Street depot in 2004

TfGM’s interim head of bus services Alison Chew said: “Last week Jim Stones told us he was retiring and intending to sell his bus company, which currently operates three commercial and eight subsidised services across Wigan and Leigh.

“We met with Mr Stones to discuss the matter and will review the impact on passengers and how the commercial bus market and Transport for Greater Manchester could potentially intervene.

“Mr Stones has operated a bus company for more than 30 years and has reassured us of his commitment to ensuring his drivers receive redundancy pay and help finding other jobs if a sale is not achieved.”