J & C boss Nev Jones on family firm ’ s proud history
PICTURES BY CHRIS BOOTH
J & C boss Nev Jones on family firm ’ s proud history
HEAD
COACH
A coach driver who has “ loved ” his life travelling Europe is diversifying his business to focus on minibus hire – with 50 per cent of his fleet now offering wheelchair access .
BY SARAH WALKER
Nev Jones , of J & C Coaches , has been driving for nearly 40 years , taking happy tourists on coach holidays across Europe , travelling with music lovers to stadium gigs and ferrying kids to and from school .
Nev says he ’ s loved ( almost !) every minute – especially the traditional camaraderie on board a coach with contented passengers – and he feels fortunate to have been able to combine his work with a bit of sightseeing over many years .
However , at 57 , Nev , whose coaches are based on Aycliffe Business Park , now feels the time is right to make some changes .
Nev , who is also a Liberal Democrat councillor for Aycliffe East , reflects on the history of the business .
“ This little bus company on Aycliffe Business Park has been trading nearly 50 years – my father , John , started it when he was pensioned out of the fire brigade on health grounds ,” he explains .
“ He went for a medical with his friend Cliff who was also a fireman and they both failed .
“ After driving to Durham in a fire engine , they went home in a taxi , no longer firemen aand said ‘ what shall we do now ?’”
One of the pair suggested buying a minibus and J & C mini coaches was born .
Nev started driving for his dad when he was 18 – almost 40 years ago – and saw the business go from strength to strength .
At one point , they owned a little shop on Bondgate in Darlington , selling coach trips and mini breaks all over the UK and Europe .
Nev said : “ I have absolutely loved being a coach driver over the years , visiting places like Rome and Sorrento or just going to pick people up from nightclubs .
“ I ’ ve got a daughter who is 18 and I ’ ve offered to put her through her test but she just laughs and says ‘ no you ’ re all right !’ - but it ’ s a job for life !”
Nev stopped going abroad as much once his kids came along , but up until 1999 the business was investing in new luxury coaches every year .
Now he admits it ’ s difficult to find good drivers – and the recent increases in the price of fuel have made this a less competitive business .
When the firm ’ s latest contract with Greenfield Community College ends at the end of the summer term , it will mark the end of the firm providing large coach transport .
J & C coaches ’ new focus will be on minibus hire and supporting special educational needs school transport , where pupils require wheelchair access .
The firm has invested in a fleet that consists of 50 per cent wheelchair accessible vehicles .
“ We ’ re moving away from big coaches altogether ,” says Nev .
“ Our smaller vehicles are easier and cheaper to insure and run and don ’ t take up as much space – I can even fit one on my drive .
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 17