Bracknell Coach Company Ceases Trading Unexpectedly

CJJ Coaches, a Bracknell firm that did contract work for Bracknell Forest Council, has ceased trading.

The company announced the closure "with great sadness and a very heavy heart" and called it an "incredibly difficult and unexpected time".

CJJ ran day trips and holidays and still had bookings. Epsom Explore is stepping in to manage existing bookings and says deposits paid for day trips will be honoured.

Gareth Wells, from Epsom Explore, said: "We will honour deposits and everyone on the day trips until Christmas. We are covering them to make sure they still happen."

Staff are contacting customers individually. Mr Wells added: "Our shop team is phoning around calling customers to let them know what happened."

He said he did not know why CJJ closed but warned the rising cost of fuel had made things difficult generally.

In its announcement CJJ thanked customers, saying: "From day trips and holidays to all the wonderful memories made along the way, your support has meant more than you know."

News of the closure prompted messages from customers and former staff. A former driver called it a "truly heartbreaking time", recalling "so many laughs" and "amazing places visited".

One customer with a trip to Wisley booked said previous trips had "always been really well organised" and described the crew as "lovely".

CJJ Coaches was contacted for further comment.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter