JH Coaches was originally known as Jim Hughes Coaches.  The business was founded  by Mr Jim Hughes himself in  the 1970's. Jim was a well known and respected coach operator in the local area. The business operated for a many years from their depot based under the Queen Alexandra Bridge in Sunderland. 

 

Jim sadly passed away suddenly in 2010 and with no family interest to continue, the business then comprising of seven coaches was sold to the Shipley family in 2012.  Jim Hughes and Ian Shipley had been acquainted through the coach industry and for many years enjoyed several trips away driving to the Alps on ski  coach tours and skiing together. During those tours Jim and Ian discussed the possibility of Jim selling the business to Ian's son John when he retired.  Sadly things didn't work out quite as expected but the transfer of the business did eventually go ahead as planned.  

 

Under the new ownership the fleet image was rebranded as JH Coaches and the striking gold livery was soon rolled out.  This new look immediately became a hit with the customers with the gold image intentionally designed to be synonymous with quality.

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JH Coaches relocated to their current Birtley site in 2014 and since then the business has grown from strength to strength increasing the fleet to almost 50 vehicles. With no less than nine brand new coaches added to the fleet in recent years JH Coaches has quickly established itself as one of the leading coach companies in the area.