70 Witnesses for "irregular" Tour : Steady Demand by Working People
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THERE was "standing room 'only I for some of the 70 witnesses Waiting to . give evidence at Manchester, on -Tuesday, when the North Western Traffic 'Commissioners opened the hearing of an
• 'application by Pleasureways (1955), Ltd., for . a .. new, seven-day Margate tour
startingfrom Manchester. '
In the course of the day over 30 gave evidence :f< having been on holiday through Pleasureways. At -the end of the day's hearing, Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, fixed a, further two days for
consideration of the application. • For Pleasureways, Mr-T. Booth said the inclusive charge would be 115 with a period of operation from Easter to October. The granting of the Margate tour would mean an end to the company's present tour to Cromer. Margate had never been on Pleasureways' North Western Iicence—unforturtately, there had been unorthodox operation in the past.
"Clean Sheet" The company were now applying with a "completely clean sheet." They catered for working-class people who would not be happy with other tours. There was a guaranteed demand.
Mr. W. Eastwood, a director, said the company were limited to Brighton, Weston-super-Mare, Cromer and Tenby, and in future they would do nothing irregular, He was confident that he could operate the Margate tour economically and profitably. Workingclass people patronized smaller hotels.
Mr., H. Backhouse objected for W. Robinson and Sons (GL Harwood), Ltd.; HappiWay Tours (Manchester), Ltd.; Stanley .Spencer Tours (Manchester), Ltd.; and Smiths Tours (Wigan), Ltd. He said most people who had coaching holidays were "working class" and his clients catered for them.
Replying to Mr. Backhouse, Mr. Eastwood refused to break down the proposed £15 into the expenses to be covered.
• .Mr. R. C. Oswald, for British Railiways, observed that the number of passengers. carried to Cromer by Plearsureways had decreased.
If Pleasureways were prevented from goingto Margate, countered Mr. Booth, their passengers would go somewhere else with them.
Mr. Backhouse said he was puzzled to learn that ,.many witnesses wished to change. -their tours but would not change the company with whom they travelled. Mr. G. Walker, a Pleasureways booking agent, said this pointed to their not bothering. where they travelled to but being particular about the coach company. Different classes of people preferred different types of operator.
Mr. Williamson adjourned the hearing to February 10 and 12.