Opinions and Queries
Page 48
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St. Albans Depot: A Claimant
WITH regard to the report in your November 4 issue " about the disposal of the B.R.S. depot at St. Albans, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you are misinformed regarding the previous ownership of these premises.
The facts are that from these premises at 229-231 Hatfield Road, St. Albans, H. G. Currell and Co., Ltd., operated for many years in the industry. The business, one of the earliest in the district, was started by my father at the end of the first World War and joined by the writer in 1928. Some time later it was formed into a private limited company with my father and myself as directors.
In 1945, we acquired Messrs. Barnes, 28 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, until nationalization: The Welwyn depot premises were not sold to the B.T.C., but shortly after acquisition of the vehicles, the premises were leased to Brunts Coaches, Ltd., and are now used jointly by Rand and Brunt, Ltd.
After acquisition at Hatfield Road, I remained there first as unit manager, later, after group formation, as traffic superintendent, and finally as A/group manager. until I resigned in 1951. For a time I left the district, having another business interest in Exeter, but when the prospect of denationalization began to appear, I made severalapproaches to the Commission regarding "Hatfield Road." On each occasion I was given to understand that these premises were to be retained. I abandoned my plans in this direction and awaited a further opportunity.
Later on last year, I became associated with Mr. J. Sunderland, then depot superintendent at King's Langley. When this depot was put up for disposal, the present company was formed and our tender was accepted in
November last year. S. G. CURRELL.
King's Langley. Sunderland (Hefts) Hauliers, Ltd.
. . . And A Disclaimer THE family business of W. H. Rand and Sons, Ltd., did not own or operate from the present St. Albans depot. My old company, formed by my late father in 1923, operated from Victoria Street and Sutton Road, St. Albans, and at the time Of acquisition these. premises were also acquired on a lease basis. At a later stage, these were withdrawn from the B.T.C., but in 1949, I became depot superintendent at St. Albans, which at that time consisted of the premises of H. G. Currell and Co.. Ltd., together with those of W. H. Rand and Sons.
After the withdrawal of my old company's premises, I remained as depot superintendent at the premises formerly owned by H. G. Currell, and continued in this role until my return to private enterprise.
Some time ago, my present company made overtures to the B.T.C. as to the future of the St. Albans depot, and received from the Commission information that they were retaining this indefinitely. As disposals increased, we again approached the Commission on the same matter, and were this time informed that they "were not prepared to negotiate for a private deal, but if it was decided that the St. Albans .depot would be disposed of, we could tender for same, etc."
We, thereupon, made different -arrangements for our
future operation. W. B. RAND.
Welwyn Garden city. Rand and Brunt, Ltd.