Cawthorne’s Travel Ltd is fully equipped to meet travel needs across the UK and, more recently, across Europe. From its headquarters in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, the company operates a fleet of different vehicles.
With a friendly and loyal staff ensuring customer satisfaction, Cawthorne’s provides a high standard of service. Whether it’s arranging minibus hire, school or business awaydays, or even increasingly European travel, mini breaks and holidays, the company manages all travel requirements for clients.
Backed by almost 20 years of experience in the industry, this family-run coach company has built an enviable reputation and contacts in a business that has expanded beyond founder and owner James Cawthorne’s wildest imagination.
But it hasn’t all been plain sailing – and finance has been critical. The business was started by James in April 2017. From day one, the financing for the coaches and minibuses has gone through Chris Cooke, whose business is now part of Compass Business Finance.
The first finance deal was for an £8,000 coach when James was a one-man band, other than the mechanic servicing the vehicles. His first acquisitions were a “couple of old buffer vehicles”.
“We quickly grew, added two coaches, and then got into difficulties with Covid,” said James. “We were knocked back during the pandemic but managed to survive. Chris has always been there for us. Together with Compass, they have played a pivotal role in building up our business. Without finance, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Subsequent financing for premium quality, luxury and reliable coaches from Neoplan has been crucial to the business success. Cawthorne’s invested in a first Neoplan coach in 2022.
The latest investment – the biggest to date – has been in a new premium class Tourliner Coach, the latest addition to the Neoplan family, where full LED lighting and USB charging stations are part of every seat.
Compass supported the purchase by providing a provided a tailored hire purchase agreement. The agreement includes an initial deposit and a structured repayment plan over five years, enabling Cawthorne’s to manage its investment efficiently while maintaining cash flow. A state-of-the-art brake tester was also included within the agreement.
Cawthorne’s now has six Neoplan coaches. The investments have opened doors for the company to provide European travel for recognised holiday companies, continental transport for football teams, as well as several trips from London to historic sites such as Ypres and the French capital Paris.
“We have built up a lot of day trips over the last 5 years, with weekends and 3- to 5-day mini breaks booked out right the way through to September,” said James. “This year, we have had more European travel than ever before. Easter and spring were extremely busy, and the summer months have been sold out. I don’t want to turn down work, but we just can’t take on any more business. There is nothing you can do about it.
“Without finance, none of our success would have been possible. When I need financial support, I just email or ring Compass, and they sort out the rest. They are easy to deal with, and I trust them completely, particularly as I do not have a financial background.”
Without the environmentally friendly Neoplans, Cawthorne’s would have also fallen foul of Sheffield’s clean air zone policy and wouldn’t be providing European travel.
And turnover wouldn’t have jumped from £2,000 a month at the start, to more than £100,000 just eight years later.
“We have grown very fast, which is all down to having finance available for higher quality, premium coaches,” said James. “Thank you to Chris and Compass.
“Whenever I need finance, they’re the people I go to, and they will continue to play an important role as our business expands further.”
