SUFFOLK coach firm Galloway has acquired the concerts programme and day excursions business of Norfolk-based Chenery Travel.

Galloway, based at Mendlesham, near Stowmarket, will operate the business as Chenery Live Ltd, with staff at the Norfolk firm’s office in Castle Meadow, Norwich, transferring to the new company.

Chenery will continue to run its coach hire business separately, as R W Chenery, but will continue to work closely with the “Live” business.

John (“Bernie”) Miles, commercial director at Galloway Travel Group, said the move would allow the company to offer concert trips to Suffolk customers, which have been a Chenery specialism, while also expanding Galloway’s holiday travel business into Norfolk.

“We are going to take that business to Norwich,” Mr Miles said. “Traditionally we haven’t done concerts and we are going to extend that into Suffolk. We are working well together and they will be doing the vast majority of coaches for us from Norfolk to concerts. The existing staff are staying on.

“The majority of departures will still use Chenery coaches and drivers with their recognised excellent standards.”

Set up in 1964. Galloway has a �10m-a-year turnover and a fleet of around 50 buses and coaches running holiday trips, overseas educational travel and home-to-school transport services.

“Our ambition is to grow the business and bring our holiday business expertise into Norfolk and extend the concert business into Suffolk. It’s a good match and we are not changing the systems or how the business operates,” added Mr Miles.

“In the last couple of years we have been focusing on growing the business in north Essex, but we have left Norfolk and now we are looking to bring our expertise into Norfolk.”