Staff keep jobs and routes remain as bus company is sold for £2 million

A BUS company with routes in Derbyshire has been sold for £2 million.

Midland Classic has been sold to Rotala plc, with Rotala also repaying a £577,000 loan to a former shareholder.

Midland Classic runs 60 buses and employs 110 staff, all of whom are set to keep their jobs. The company ran several routes in Burton and Swadlincote.

The fleet will be rebranded in the blue livery of Diamond Bus, a brand owned by Tividale-based Rotala which already runs multiple services across the West Midlands. However, services will remain the same for the time being and route information will gradually move to the Diamond Bus website in the near future.

James Boddice, managing director of Midland Classic, said: “After 17 years of successful independent bus operation during which time the company has grown, including taking over the Arriva local garage in 2016, to become the primary operator in and around Burton. After much consideration we have decided to accept an offer from Rotala to take over the business. I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the success of the company, especially our employees, and wish everyone well for the future.”

The Derby Telegraph had received reports that the sale was originally scheduled for November 30 – the end of Rotala’s financial year – but was brought forward following the resignation of the board of Midland Classic. Information on Companies House indicates Mr Boddice, and two other directors, resigned on August 3, with no Midland Classic directors remaining following the takeover, but Rotala has not responded directly to this allegation.

Simon Dunn, chief executive of Rotala Plc, said: “Midland Classic is a well-established operator of bus services in Burton and the south Derbyshire area. The East Midlands is a new market for Rotala; however as it borders existing Diamond Bus networks in Staffordshire and the West Midlands it is an ideal addition to the growing Midlands business.”