The loss of a Bicester coach company operating for more than 75 years has been labelled a ‘tragedy’ by local councillors.

Family-run Heyfordian Travel ceased business suddenly on Tuesday (August 1) citing factors such as rising costs and a shortage of drivers.

The company was founded in Bicester in 1947 and specialised in luxury group travel around the UK.

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The coaches were also contracted by Oxfordshire County Council to run 13 school bus services.

Former Bicester headteacher and county councillor Michael Waine said: “My concern is the impact it will have on ferrying children to and from school.

“They had a significant contract with us.

“I know Oxfordshire County Council is working hard to pick up the routes.

“It certainly came as a big surprise. Heyfordian has been operating in Oxfordshire for decades.”

Oxford Mail: Councillor Michael Waine Councillor Michael Waine

In a statement released on their website, Heyfordian Travel said it had ceased trading “with the utmost regret.”

It said: "We are so sorry after 76 years of trading that unfortunately it has come to this. 

"We just faced too many headwinds with inflation, rising costs, driver shortages and having massive interest charges on our bounce back loans that it has become impossible to continue."

Councillor Nicholas Mawyer who represents Bicester North and Caversfield on Cherwell District Council said: “The loss of any local business that has struggled in the current crisis is a tragedy.

“The government wants us to invest in our transport network, but it has not been easy.”

Councillor Harry Knight, the Cherwell representative for Bicester West, added: “It is a real shame.

“I think the coach company meant a lot to the area.

“It employed a lot of local people and now they are losing their jobs.”

Heyfordian Travel was founded by James Thomas Smith, known as Jim, in the 1940s after the Second World War and he led its expansion over the next three decades.

He was born in Cambridgeshire and grew up in Surrey, where his father owned a haulage firm E&J Smith.

Mr Smith founded Heyfordian Travel after moving to Oxfordshire, where he was based at former Royal Air Force station in Upper Heyford.

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The firm’s trade was boosted in the 1950s with the arrival of US forces at the Oxfordshire aerodrome and it then expanded to offer daily services to Oxford and Northampton.

Mr Smith’s four sons joined the business in the 1960s and 1970s when further expansion through acquisitions took place.

Didcot-based bus operator Thames Travel stated that it was "saddened by the news" of Heyfordian Travel’s closure.

It said during this "challenging time" it wanted to invite any staff members looking for new roles to apply to join its team.