New Midlands HQ for NBC
Page 38
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• "The operation of bus services is essentially a local matter. Most of the problems are local problems differing from one place to another and it is our oblective to see that they are dealt with locally, and that local initiative and interest is given the maximum possible scope", Mr. A. N. Todd, chairman of National Bus Company, stated at the opening ceremony of a new head office in Heanor, Derbyshire. for the Midland General Group of Companies, The new office replaces a structure, used since 1931, which has proved inadequate for the growth of the three companies, the Midland General Omnibus Co. the Mansfield District Traction Co. and the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Traction Co. which form the Group.
Mr. Todd, undertaking his first public duty outside London as chairman of NBC, underlined that the Midland Group was there to serve local interests. It was not a mere cog in a great monolithic organization and it was the NBC's intention to keep it that way.
The new two-storey building has a floor area of 13.000 sq. ft. and accommodates 58 employees. The ground floor is of traditional construction while the upper floor comprises a Derwent building. The architect responsible for the design and construction was Mr. Alan A. Briggs, chief architect of the N BC.
The ground floor includes the entrance area, committee room, printing and stationery stores, filing room, kitchen, dining rooms, toilets, boiler room and staff car garage. On the first floor in one large open plan area are located the staffs of the secretary's, traffic manager's and chief engineer's departments. and in separate office leading off this area and segregated because of the nature of the work are the schedules section, typists and machine room.
The three companies are integrated for operational purposes with a fleet of 330 employed on a closely knit network of stage carriage services in a compact area. Total mileage in 1968 was 14,633,000 and 67,575,000 passengers were carried.