UK coach firm leaves vacationers stranded and out of pocket after having licence revoked
A coach company in Lincolnshire has had its operator’s licence revoked – a move that reportedly has left dozens of tourists stranded and out of pocket this Christmas.
As of Friday, 28 November, Hough’s of Lincolnshire will no longer be able to operate their holidays and day trips following a Public Inquiry held in Leeds on Tuesday, 11 November.
The family-run company, which began trading in 2006, offers day trips, private coach hire services and coach holidays from as little as £199.
It once received the British Coach Tourism Award for Coach Tour Operator of the Year in 2018.
According to information shared by Gov UK, a case was called against the company’s sole trader, Mr Richard Hough, and its sole transport manager, Mr Hough’s wife, Rosina, under Section 17 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.
As well as ultimately having their licence revoked for non-payment to hotels, it was found liable for a range of vehicle issues, including a lack of evidence for brake performance testing and headlight beam testing, in violation of GTMR regulations.
Following the inspection of seven vehicles – four of which are currently in possession of the operator – several areas were deemed ‘unsatisfactory,’ specifically general condition, maintenance records, vehicle emissions, and wheel and tyre management.
The operator provided a comprehensive response, however vehicle examiner Mark Roystone marked the response as unsatisfactory, with the coach company now ordered to return all licence discs no later than 4pm on 5 December, 2025.
Dozens of customers have since taken to social media to vent their concerns – with those booked for festive trips and other excursions claiming they’ve either been left stranded, out of pocket or awaiting a response in regard to their bookings.
Coach company, Hough’s of Lincolnshire, had its licence revoked on Friday, 28 November – a move that has reportedly left tourists stranded
A number of UK tourists who’d booked Christmas events with the company have said their coaches either failed to arrive, or have lost money they have had to fight to get back
On Facebook, one person explained how their 84-year-old mother was left ‘waiting in freezing conditions’ for almost an hour for a coach that never arrived – and has lost money in the process.
In the post, they wrote: ‘My 84yr old mother was meant to go to Christmas at Chatsworth House today. After waiting 40 minutes in freezing conditions this morning Houghs coach didn’t turn up.
‘She now has a crime number from the police not that is any consolation. She has been in contact with the TSB only to be told they can’t help due to the fact that she paid £130 days ago and they can only help up to £120. Feels very unfair.’
Responses poured in of similar experiences, with one writing: ‘There’s a lot of people been affected myself including it frustrating as I paid cash and have to report to police for fraud.’
Another shared: ‘We booked for the Thursford show 11th December and paid by debit card so we have lost £410 feel sorry for those who have booked for Christmas I’m disgusted with Hough’s they have just been silent.’
A third added: ‘All of this is absolutely disgusting of them we are booked on the Christmas in Aberfoyle and last Friday rang them – all December holidays with Hough’s are cancelled.
‘So we emailed them, they emailed us backed confirming what we was told over the phone so we now have it in black and white.
‘What vile behaviour of them to keep taking our money knowing they had their licence revoked.’
Customers have taken to Facebook in wake of the news, with many reporting they have lost out on experiences and funds
Meanwhile, one wrote: ‘My friend and I have booked a day trip with Hough’s to go to Nottingham Christmas market on the 13th of December. Does anybody else know what’s happening for this date?’
One customer, who’d returned from a recent trip with Hough’s from Chatsworth, claimed: ‘The driver first found out that he no longer had a job via Facebook.
‘He then got it verified; very sad for all concerned but mostly for the workforce who had no prior notice.’
In an attempt to assure fellow customers, one person wrote: ‘As I believe they haven’t gone bust they have had there operators license revoked which means they are unable to run coaches.
‘I’ve been told they intend to appeal the traffic commission decision how long that will take I don’t know not to long I hope, I have known Richard over 40 years – he is a good guy who is not too well at the moment.’
According to customer accounts, it appears the company has ceased all operations – but an automated message on its telephone line refutes the ‘information circulating online,’ claiming that all of their trips ‘are running as scheduled.’
Hough’s of Lincolnshire has not yet released a formal statement, but the Daily Mail has been in touch for comment.
