A LOCAL bus company which provided school services for pupils across South Ayrshire has gone bust.

Keenan of Ayr announced the news publicly earlier today.

The firm's liquidators say provisions have been made so that the impact to pupils is minimal.

The Coalhall-based company, founded by Jack and Anne Keenan, had served day trippers and school pupils in the area for more than 60 years.

Recently the business operated 18 vehicles and provided school bus services and passenger routes across Ayrshire. 

All 18 staff were immediately made redundant by the liquidators on Wednesday, February 16 for reasons of insolvency. 

Liquidators say that difficulties posed by the pandemic, throughout large portions of which pupils were not in schools, and when travel was limited to within council areas, contributed to the firm's demise.

Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig of Begbies Traynor were appointed as joint provisional liquidators of John Keenan & Sons (Darwin Garage) Ltd.

Thomas McKay, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “Unfortunately, after the last two years of difficult trading, the business has suffered from a cash flow perspective and latterly proved unviable, due to material decreases in turnover and remote learning for children, resulting in a reduction in the number of buses on the roads and income for the business.

“Alternative operators have been contacted to cover the school bus services in order to minimise disruption to passengers.

"We are now in the process of dealing with the company’s affairs and realising any assets to provide the best return for creditors.”