ALL jobs have been lost at a Dundee-based private hire and school bus firm as liquidators have been appointed after it closed “out of the blue”.
James Dewar and Alistair McAlinden from Interpath were appointed as joint provisional liquidators to Fishers Tours Limited on Friday, after the transport firm ceased operating in May after more than 20 years in business.
The Dundee-based private hire coach company provided short and long-distance travel across the country, along with several long-standing contracts with local councils, including transportation agreements to take pupils to and from schools in Dundee and Angus.
The collapse of Fishers Tours has left Dundee City Council and Angus Council having to make alternative arrangements for school transport for hundreds of pupils.
The firm employed 27 people and operated from Mid Craigie Industrial Estate with a fleet of 18 coaches.
Last week Fishers Tours listed 10 of its coaches on the auction website Sweeney Kincaid.
Administrators said the business faced financial challenges in recent months amid rising costs, but operated with fixed-price customer contracts.
Fishers Tours ceased trading on Friday, May 23, and all staff were made redundant upon the appointment of the liquidators.
All services, including pre-booked hires, group travel and music event travel, have been cancelled.
Customers with bookings have been advised to seek alternative travel arrangements, while those who have paid deposits have also been advised to speak to their bank or credit card provider.
Alistair McAlinden said: “Fishers Tours has been a core part of the local transport network in the Dundee City and Angus region for more than two decades and we recognise the devastating impact the closure of the business will have on staff, customers and wider community.
“Regrettably, all bookings and services have been cancelled and customers are advised to seek alternative arrangements and engage with their bank or credit card provider if a deposit has been paid.
“As provisional liquidators, our immediate focus is to explore the circumstances of the liquidation and support affected employees to ensure they have access to the necessary guidance in making claims to the Redundancy Payments Office.”
Last month, one employee told The Courier the decision was unfair after it was revealed the business had closed suddenly, they said: “This has come completely out of the blue.
“Everyone was stood on the yard completely shocked. We feel totally helpless.
“That’s more than 20 drivers and mechanics who won’t have jobs next week. How is that fair?"
