FOR our trader of the week, this week, we decided to focus on Wigton-based Reays Coaches.

You may have noticed Reays made headlines earlier this week, as they jumped to the last-minute aid of helping Keswick and Cockermouth kids get to school as another company ceased its operations two days before schools were going back.

Sales and marketing manager Gemma Scott said: "It was a case of seeing what we could do, without thinking about the financial side, just helping local people.

"Supporting the local community is what we're all about, we want to make sure everyone gets the chance to go to school and provide structure at a time when it's needed more than ever.

"Whether it was parents, guardians or students on the phone that day, everyone was so lovely, and that makes our job so much easier," she said.

The family-run business has been in operation since 1983 and has since grown to become the largest independent bus and coach operator within Cumbria.

The organisation specialises in private hires, airport runs, school runs as well as providing day trips and holidays to the people of Cumbria.

With holidaying in the UK more popular than ever, Ms Scott said the company provides a travelling "sense of security" during the Covid-19 years.

"You don't have to worry about parking, hotels, overnight stays, public transport or even driving on dangerous country roads stays if you take a coach with us," she said. 

The company recently received a thank you card from Workington MP, Mark Jenkinson, offering his gratitude for the company's role in providing transport to schoolkids earlier in the week.

"It's just nice to get the acknowledgement, it doesn't matter if you're Labour or Conservative, it's just nice to be recognised for our efforts," she said.

As the company looks to the year ahead, they want to continue to provide more school routes to those in need, promote the countryside and offer a complete holiday brochure.

"We hope to carry on giving bigger and better this year," Ms Scott said.