Cheslyn Hay coach firm Parrys International to close after 40 years
One of the region's biggest coach tour companies is to close, it was announced today.
Parrys International, based in Cheslyn Hay, is to shut after 40 years of trading.
It carries around 25,000 passengers a year to destinations across the country and parts of Europe.
Owner Dave Parry said the decision to close at the end of the year was made due to increasing regulation and spiralling costs in the coach tour industry.
The firm, based at Landywood Green, is the official sponsor of Wolverhampton Speedway and Mr Parry said this would continue until the end of the season, marking the 13th successive year of sponsorship.
Mr Parry, himself a former Wolves speedway rider and manager, said: "I broke the news to my staff on Wednesday during our annual training week.
"It was very upsetting to have to announce it but we have to plan in advance."
Mr Parry works seven days a week in his business, which has grown to have an annual turnover of £5 million.
Parrys, which has 35 full-time staff, is not taking any bookings after December.
He stressed that the business was still very sound financially and he was prepared to listen to offers to buy it.
The current plan is to stop trading at the end of the year and sell off all the assets including the fleet of 15 vehicles including 11 touring coaches. A brand new state-of-the-art coach is also being added to the fleet in March.
The company held its annual open day last month and Mr Parry, who is managing director, wants to finish his business on a high.
"Even though we are to close everyone here still wants to celebrate our 40 years in business. We may even have a closure day," he said.
Mr Parry is 65 next month and he said that was another factor in deciding to close.
"It has been a very hard but very rewarding 40 years and I want to thank our loyal staff and brilliant drivers who have helped to give the company such a prestigious reputation," he said.
"The continuous introduction of the new regulations and responsibilities in such a high-profile business has accelerated the need to set a finish date as I feel no other organisation could operate this company at our existing levels of professionalism."
