The Bakers Group-

First Choice... First Class

2010 is our 74th year of trading, and our success has been based on a formula of friendly professional service to a long list of loyal customers. We retain the atmosphere and presence of a small family company, but aspire to the highest standards through our association with a number of professional industry bodies. Through these associations and policies, we consider ourselves to be one of the ‘top 40’ coach operators in the UK. We are committed to continual improvement in standards and we see the employment of a motivated professional workforce as essential in achieving our aims.

Our history

James Baker, the father of the current MD of the Bakers Group, created his business back in 1936, where he ran an early chauffeured car service from the family home.  The first thirty years of business focussed efforts on car operations and incorporated wedding and funeral services, as well as car hire.

The Arrival of the Coaches

In 1967 coach operations commenced and this element of the business blossomed sharply during the seventies and eighties, reflecting the increased incoming tourism business and the deregulation of the bus industry.  Forty years on from 1967, Bakers Coaches operates a fleet of 19 coaches and 39 buses. The ultimate coach facilities include leather seats, catering and drinks facilities, fridges, microwaves, tables, Sky TV and air-conditioning; a quantum leap in service from the solid rubber wheeled vehicles of the 1930’s.

In the present day, as members of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, and the Guild of British Coach Operators and having been awarded membership of the CPT’s ‘Coach Marque’ accreditation scheme, we aspire to and achieve their high standards.   Our entire driving staff benefit from the services of our own Driver Trainer to assess driving standards and deliver Driver CPC training including the SAFED course.  Bakers Coaches are proud to have achieved “Investor in People” accreditation early in 1998, only the third coach company to do so in the UK.

Bakers Holidays

Bakers Holidays were first introduced following deregulation in 1981, which allowed coach companies to operate in any area and on any route.  Throughout the last 29 years Bakers has transported hundreds of thousands of passengers on holidays throughout the UK and Europe.  Today, our ‘Adventures by Coach’ are predominately based in the UK and with over 60 departures planned each year to a wide range of destinations, catering for all tastes and needs, from Eastbourne and Llandudno to Tenby and Cornwall and for the more adventurous the beautiful islands of Jersey and the Isle of Man.  As well as dedicated brochure with scheduled holidays throughout the  year, Bakers Holidays are also able to help groups with their own accommodation needs, enabling Bakers to provide the full package from transport and accommodation through to entry tickets and financial bonding- making Bakers your ‘one stop’ for any groups’ needs.

The Creation of bakerbus

During the mid nineties bakerbus came into being, with a 99 service from Biddulph to Congleton at the forefront.  bakerbus quickly developed a reputation for being a reliable, friendly and efficient service, and is now used by 1000s throughout, Staffordshire and Cheshire each week.  Our growing network of buses, with their quality service currently operate between: Biddulph – Congleton - Macclesfield (service 99), Biddulph – Hanley (Nines), Congleton - Hanley (service 77), Hanley – Stone – Stafford Beaconside (service X1), Newcastle town services (33/33A), Biddulph to Newcastle (service94), Biddulph to Leek (Service 423/424) The Shuttle (391/392/393) Macclesfield to Stockport and the award winning ‘Beartown’ local town service in Congleton.  (Please see a full list of services and timetables by clicking here).

Moving to The Coach Travel Centre

On the 11^th November 2006, 70 years to the day since the company began, Bakers moved all its operations from Spring Grove, the old family home into the purpose built depot on Victoria Business Park.  Spring Grove had been well and truly out grown, with some very interesting parking needed by skilled staff each evening.  The new depot has been a breath of fresh air to business and has allowed continued expansion in all areas of the group each year, with increased bus services and training, outside engineering work being completed and by allowing holiday makers and day tripers to park their cars in safety.

The Future

The future for the Bakers Group will be built on the foundations of the past, where quality of customer service will lead the way in all aspects of the business, whether this be Bakers Coaches, bakerbus, Bakers Holidays, Bakers Training or Bakers Support Services.