Belle Vue Manchester to create 40 jobs in next phase of expansion

Stockport-based bus and coach hire company, Belle Vue Manchester is gearing up for its next phase of expansion with 40 new jobs across its operations.

The additional roles include those of transport director, a dedicated FlixBus manager, a garage manager and more than 30 additional drivers, as well as valeters and mechanics.

Belle Vue has taken on 18 staff so far this year, increasing its workforce to 120. The rest of the new roles will be filled over the next 12 months to support the company’s strong growth.

Managing director Phil Hitchen said the additional staff will enable the company to meet increasing demand. Phil said:

“We are expanding in all areas of the business and, to cater for this growth, we are in the throes of a major recruitment drive.
“Along with our blossoming partnership with FlixBus, we are experiencing significant increased demand for day trips, outings, UK and overseas tours, private hire, corporate and sports travel. Our strategy to expand all of our income streams is bearing fruit.”

Barry Hayton (pictured left, with Phil Hitchen) brings 36 years’ experience in the coach and bus industry to Belle Vue as transport director. His role includes overseeing all garage, fleet and driver operations as well as directing transport services. He said:

“When the opportunity arose to join the team to help grow the business, I had no doubt this was the position for me. Belle Vue’s vision and ambition are just what I am looking for.

“It’s a well-established and admired brand, and I very much look forward to working with everyone in the company to help progress the great work that has already been achieved in the business as we enter the next chapter.”

Antony McArthur has also joined as FlixBus manager and Morgan White has been recruited as garage manager.

Belle Vue’s partnership with FlixBus began in April 2023 with services between Manchester and Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. This year, it has launched routes to York, Bradford, Stoke, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. Manchester-Bristol services are due to begin later this month. Further new services are currently being planned, alongside additional frequencies on existing routes.

Last month, Belle Vue announced an investment of £6 million in new coaches to cater for its FlixBus expansion. Further vehicles are to be added to the fleet in the coming months for its private hire and corporate travel operations.

Phil Hitchen continued:

“We pride ourselves on providing our people with an opportunity to work in their sweet spot. That includes enjoying what they do, doing what they are good at and bringing value to our clients and our business.

“It creates opportunities for people to excel. We probably do things a little differently than your average bus company, and it’s a successful strategy.

“For example, we have recently created a new training suite where we show our people a vision of the business and their role in it, so they know that what they are doing in their jobs has purpose and value. We also help them to set personal goals, so they enjoy meaningful and fulfilling lives outside of their careers too.
“We nurture and develop young talent. Talent has to be developed, not bought.

“Our objective is to get people engaged with delivering a high standard of customer service where the passengers come back for more. It is what they pay for. People enjoy travelling on new vehicles, but they also love being served in a friendly way by an accommodating driver. It makes a real difference.

“The new training suite delivers CPC training to our transport managers and our driver team. We have our own trainer in Matthew Turner, who is qualified at the highest level to deliver these courses and pass on decades of experience to ensure we continue to provide the highest standards of service.

“Alongside this is a commitment to excellence, a great salary and bonus packages, and a down-to-earth, personal approach which connects people to our mission.”

Phil said the Belle Vue approach has helped the company and individual staff to win a string of industry awards. In addition, Belle Vue recently gained membership of the elite Guild of British Coach Operators, a status only open to companies that achieve a 100 per cent rating in an independent audit of their operations.

He said there were challenges in recruiting quality drivers, but the company was overcoming these through its methods.

“During the pandemic, a large number of coach companies went bust, and a large number of drivers changed careers.

“For example, experienced tour drivers who had often spent long periods away realised they liked being at home with their families and pottering in the garden.

“When the pandemic ended, there was a shortage of quality drivers for the PCV sector. We have countered this by helping to fund other staff, such as valeters, to obtain their PCV licences.

“We see the driver as king, and as our ambassadors. They are the face of the company to the customer. We train them to lead, with an emphasis on excellent communication, before, during and after the journey.

“It’s an approach which differentiates Belle Vue and we are proud to be setting high standards of service in our industry.”