MidlandRed.net

Swadlincote Depot

• Swadlincote area served by Midland “Red” Motor Services buses from the mid-1920s, using vehicles operated from Tamworth (Aldergate) depot and later Coalville depot.

Midland Road, Swadlincote

• Purpose built steel-framed garage with brick built offices and workshops. Initial capacity was for 39 vehicles with limited additional parking available outside.
• Opened by Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO—Midland “Red” Motor Services) in September 1931, with an initial allocation of 25 vehicles.
• Vehicle allocation of 40 vehicles by 1960.
• Company renamed to Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) on Friday 29^th March 1974, with a depot allocation of 42 vehicles and approximately 127 staff at this time.
• Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) ceased trading as bus operator at the end of trading on Saturday 5^th September 1981. Midland Red (East) Limited take control of all Swadlincote depot vehicles, staff and operations from Sunday 6^th September 1981.
• Midland Red (East) Limited trading as Midland Fox from Tuesday 24^th January 1984.
• Midland Red (East) Limited (trading as “Midland Fox”) privatised as Midland Fox Limited in a management buy-out in August 1987. All Swadlincote depot operations, including 44 vehicles and 70 staff passed to Stevensons of Uttoxeter Limited, Spath, at this time. Two Stevensons of Uttoxeter Limited directors, David Stevenson and Julian Peddle took a 40% company share in Midland Fox Limited.
• Stevensons of Uttoxeter Limited is acquired by British Bus Group Limited in June 1994, with operations of Stevensons of Uttoxeter Limited subsequently coming under the control of Midland Red North Limited (also a British Bus Group subsidiary).
• British Bus Group Limited acquired by the Cowie Group PLC on Thursday 1^st August 1996.
• Cowie Group PLC renamed to Arriva PLC on Thursday 6^th November 1997. Midland Red North and Stevensons of Uttoxeter operations trading as Arriva Midlands North soon after.
• Site closed on Monday 24^th December 2007, with staff and operations moved to Wetmore Road site.
• Now demolished, c. 2010.