SEVENTEEN people have been made redundant after the long-established Dorset business Sea View Coaches went into administration, it has been revealed.

Administrators are now looking to sell the well-known Poole transport company or its assets.

Its premises in Fancy Road are to be sold at auction.

As previously reported, the business fell into administration earlier this month.

Although the coronavirus crisis has devastated the travel industry, the administrators said Sea View had been suffering from declining turnover and rising costs.

A statement from insolvency specialist Begbies Traynor said partners Neil Vinnicombe and Simon Haskew had been appointed joint administrators and “have reported a healthy level of interest in both the business and its assets from prospective buyers”.

“The premises on Fancy Road in Poole are set to be sold via auction in mid-June," the statement said.

“Established in 1973, the family-run business operated a fleet of 18 vehicles, specialising in leisure and corporate travel. Its 17 members of staff have been made redundant."

Neil Vinnicombe, partner at Begbies Traynor in Bath, said: “It is always sad to see a long-established business fall into difficulties and Sea View Coaches had seen steadily declining turnover in an increasingly competitive market.

"This was coupled with rising running costs, which added greater pressure.

“Looking to the future, the Sea View Coaches brand is well known locally and would prove a valuable asset for someone to take forward.”

Although the current business was incorporated in 1973, Sea View Coaches traces its history to the mid-1960s, when it operated a single coach. It mainly transported staff to and from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Winfrith.

Sea View became a successful private coach hire firm, running work, school and leisure trips, and sponsoring speedway in Poole.

One Echo reader, who said they worked for the company from 1993 to 2004, said: “I think it is safe to say that in some way or another, Sea View Coaches has touched the lives of nearly everyone in the area by taking us to school, leisure or business travel, a supplier, customer or as an employee of the company.

“Another great name in coaching confined to the history book.”

Anyone seeking further information about the assets for sale should email Bath@btguk.com.