YORK Pullman Bus Company has announced it has acquired the company name, trading rights, phone number, website, ongoing booking and forward diary of Stephensons of Easingwold.

Stephensons had successfully built up a reputable business over 28 years and operated around 60 coaches on a mixture of local school contracts and bus services, until it suddenly ceased trading last Friday.

Tom James, managing director of York Pullman said: “We are pleased to have acquired the name Stephensons of Easingwold, who have previously enjoyed a good reputation in operating local private hire and school work in the York and North Yorkshire area.”

The company has been able to offer employment to around 15 members of staff who lost their jobs when Stephensons closed and a small number of school routes are being operated by York Pullman in the short term.

Mr James added: "We will be continuing to offer the same high quality standard of service as we do at York Pullman through the Stephensons brand and welcome previous clients who can still contact us for their coach hire requirements using the original phone number 01347 838990.

Less than two weeks ago York Pullman announced to The Press that it had taken over the contracts of family-run York coach company Just Travel when it ceased trading - although it has not acquired the company.

The company assigned the contracts, goodwill, diary and phone numbers to York Pullman Bus Company, which will continue to operate them with its own vehicles.

York Pullman did however offer jobs to several former Just Travel drivers.