Bakers Dolphin

Bakers Dolphin[1] is the trading name of Baker's Coaches, a bus and coach company based in Weston-super-Mare.

Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M in Llandudno
in May 2013
ParentRobert Baker
HeadquartersWeston-super-Mare
Service typeBus & coach services
Chief executiveMax Fletcher
Websitewww.bakersdolphin.com

History
Caetano bodied Bedford YMT in Weston-super-Mare in November 1986
Bakers Dolphin MCV Evolution bodied MAN 14.240 at Weston-super-Mare station in August 2012

In 1889, Charles Baker established a business with a pony chair for hire in Weston-super-Mare. The business expanded and in the early 1900s, Baker won a contract from the Royal Mail to deliver mail to the Cheddar Valley. Horses and carriages were also provided to funeral directors. With the outbreak of World War I, most of Baker's horses were commandeered by the British Army.[2]

In 1923, two motor coaches and began operating leisure trips. By the beginning of World War II the fleet had grown to 12. During the war, Bakers operated services transporting aircrews for British Empire Airways. By 1945, the fleet had grown to 30. With the end of the war, Bakers began operating day tours from Weston-super-Mare.[2]

In 1952, the Weston-super-Mare branch of Bristol's largest operator Wessex Coaches, was purchased. With the opening of Britain's motorway network in the 1960s, Bakers expanded its tour operations.[2]

In 1981, Bakers purchased the business of Wems Coaches, its largest competitor in the West Country, the combined fleet totaled 77 vehicles. In November 1984, Bakers merged with travel company Dolphin Travel, with the business rebranded Bakers Dolphin Travel with 100 shops. In 1998, the travel business was sold to First Choice Holidays.[2][3] Following an inquiry into a large number prosecutions for tachograph offences, the Traffic Commissioner temporarily reduced the operating licence from 85 to 75 vehicles in 2013.[4]

In 2008, Bakers Dolphin opened a high street store in Weston-super-Mare, followed In 2014 by another in Bristol Broadmead.[5][6][7]

Services

Bakers Dolphin previously operated public bus routes but now only run school bus services in Somerset.[8] Until August 2013, Bakers Dolphin operated a service to London under the London Flyer banner.[2][9]

References
  1. Companies House extract company no 3635902 Bakers Coaches Limited formerly JN Baker Limited
  2. History Bakers Dolphin
  3. First Choice creates 1,100 jobs The Independent 29 October 1998
  4. Bakers Dolphin has coaches cut following inquiry BBC News 17 May 2013
  5. Bakers Dolphin shop on road to success Bristol Post 22 October 2009
  6. Bakers Dolphin returns to the High Street Insider Media 14 July 2014
  7. Bakers Dolphin opens new travel shop Coach & Bus Week 31 July 2014
  8. Bus Routes Bakers Dolphin
  9. Bakers Dolphin to axe London Service Weston & Somerset Mercury 19 August 2013
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