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HARDINGS INTERNATIONAL COACHES LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE AT THEIR NEW CUSTOM BUILT PREMISES IN EAST MOONS MOAT.
It's hard to believe that Hardings Coaches started life almost 80 years ago when Ernest Harding, maternal grandfather of John Dyson, brought a sharabang along with his friend Arthur Chinn. They provided a regular service from Redditch to Longbridge for British Leyland (formally the Austin) workers and operated from the original family home in Crabbs Cross - and so it all began -expanding over the years to include Tanners Croft Garage and Workshops with the Offices still based in the family home.
Hardings continued to grow, quickly establishing itself as a landmark in Redditch and building up to a reputation for quality coaches and excellent service. In recent years, with a fleet of over 40 vehicles, it was obvious that the Crabbs Cross site could no longer accommodate such a growing business and it was without doubt time to move on. Finding a suitable site was no easy task with so many factors to take into consideration. It had to be located in Redditch, with close access to the major motorway networks with enough space to accommodate workshops, offices and parking for over 40 coaches. After more than three years of careful searching, a site was acquired in East Moons Moat, the Tanners Croft site was sold to private housing developers and preparations for the move were eventually underway.
Our new premises have been purpose built on a 3-acre plot to a high specification under the close supervision of John Dyson Managing Director of Hardings. Two years in the planning all the stress and strain ( not to mention a few sleepless nights! ) has not gone unrewarded when you see the end result - a building impressive in both style and size, with modern offices and high tech workshop, positioned at the end of Oxleasow Road, within easy reach of the M42, M40, M5 & M6. Lets take a tour and introduce you to the team....
The Workshop
The work shop includes 2 x work bays, 1 x brake testing ramp plus an MOT testing lane which has been designated as the VOSA Testing Station for the Redditch and Bromsgrove areas, providing the mandatory expertise to operate the MOT Test centre for both Heavy Goods Vehicles Class 5,6 & 7. Safety is a vital factor to us all and Hardings coaches has an excellent safety record - our Fleet Engineer Malcolm Chance and his team of fully qualified mechanics also maintain our fleet of coaches and carry out regular inspections of every vehicle.
Operations & Traffic Department.
Light and airy with plenty of room for future development our traffic office team is headed by
Senior Operations Manager Neil Cunningham and Operations Manager Malc Waldron with Liz and ' Ganger' Etheridge working closely alongside them. Many of our coaches are fitted with satellite navigation and tracking device, both of which have proved invaluable in the smooth running of the department.
All our drivers are CRB checked. Anybody interested in applying for drivers positions
please contact Malcolm on 01527 526500 for more details.
The Sales Office
Located on the first floor is the Sales Office, under the direction of our Group Sales
Manager Elaine Hanglin, who has been heading our groups department now for more than 15 years and thereby gaining the knowledge and expertise required for all aspects of both UK & Continental tours. Completing the sales team are Julie Burdon & Sue Wood, in our private hire and public sector. Each excursion or tour is costed on it's individual merit, this means we can offer competitive rates and a more personal service and our up to date booking system enables us to complete this quickly and efficiently.
Next door to the Sales Office, is our Accounts Department, under the watchful eye of our
company secretary of 26 years Malcolm Playford
OFFICE OPENING HOURS
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9.00AM TO 5.00PM
Anybody wishing to take the opportunity to look around the new premises has the chance to see our modern fleet of coaches and meet Hardings Staff, who will be happy to quote or answer any questions or queries you may have about coach travel and the coaching industry.
Tanners Croft Garage Limited - Registered in England No: 1180208