'We've lost everything': Essex coach company joins London convoy to protest lack of support from the Government
Coaches from across our region joined a pilgrimage to parliament this morning, in protest at a lack of support for travel companies, as they try to start up again following lockdown. Coach businesses say their contribution to the tourism industry has been forgotten and they need help from government, to stop the wheels from coming off their businesses. The Honk for Hope campaign was organised after ministers rejected a proposal for financial help.
Bosses at Lodge coaches in Chelmsford in Essex believe they'll struggle to survive once the furlough scheme ends in October. One of their coaches joined hundreds of others in the convoy to protest the lack of support from the Government.
Click on the video below to hear more from Robert Lodge on the financial impact of Covid, the furlough scheme, and what the coach industry needs from the Government:
Other coach companies in the region are also eager to get business back. Roger Bull owns RB Travel in Kettering. He's been shielding and his staff have been on furlough, although some of them are beginning to return. He wants the coach industry to be recognised as part of the tourism and leisure industry.
Several coach companies have had to make changes to the way they operate in order to try and get some business back.