History of Go Goodwins Coaches

’17

Henry Goodwin started York Motors (Manchester) with two taxis, it operated from a garage on the corner of High Lane and York Road

’20

The company expanded into Chara bang coach operations.

’31

Saw services extended nationwide, including routes to London, North Wales and Shropshire.

’40

All day North Wales service routes began.

’58

Alan Edward Goodwin (3rd Generation) joined the family business.

’76

Alan Goodwin broke away to establish Goodwins Coaches, later becoming Go Goodwins Coaches, alongside his wife Carol operating from their home in Benchill (Wythenshawe). Their son Geoff (4^th Generation) soon joined the business, helping expand operations. The growing company moved to larger premises in Sharston.

’76/77

Within the year, Alan started the company Go Goodwins from a council house in Benchill, Wythenshawe.

’78

Alan’s son, Geoff Goodwin, began his working career at the young age of 20 with his Dad. Within a year of Geoff’s arrival to the newly formed company, they obtained a respectable sized yard in Sharston and the business began developing.

’79

Goodwins bought their first brand new mini bus to develop on their client basis, and the work load increased!

’80

The company was progressing and moved forward in purchasing premises in the heart of Stockport. With Goodwins developing further, they started picking up new contracts along the way. One of which at the time was Altrincham Aces Ice Hockey which turned to Trafford Metros.

Goodwins coaches partnered with Seemore Travel and began offering day trips.

’84/85

With the company well and truly building up a solid reputation, they gained high-end profile contracts including the mighty Manchester United Football Club, when Ron Atkinson was the manager!

’89

Requiring more competitive coaches, Goodwins bought their first brand new Volvo Jonckheere fully loaded with bathroom facilities, chill out area, TV and all the trimmings! This coach began on its long journey with Goodwins travelling all over Europe.

’90/91

At the start of the naughty nineties the company pushed for further business and opened their very own MOT station in their yard.

’94

Goodwins decided to take on another big move and bought out Erics Way Coaches and moved their fleet to an even larger premises in Salford. As well as this big move the fourth generation son in the family, Wes Goodwin at the early age of 18, joined the team and began his successful developing career with the company.

’95

Tragedy hit the company! An aggressive fire on the eve of bonfire night, 1995, destroys the whole fleet of coaches. Goodwins had to start from scratch building up their company. However with the trusted client basis and strong connections they developed over the years, they were more determined than ever to prolong the name of Goodwins.

Saw the addition of Wesley Goodwin (5^th Generation) Geoff’s son and the acquisition of Erics Way Coaches was added to the growing company and a move to larger premises in Salford.

’99

Moving forward, the company had once again developed with full steam ahead and gained one of their biggest gigs to date, ECB (England Cricket Board).

Go Goodwins began a 20-year partnership with the English & Wales Cricket Board transporting teams across the UK.

2000

With the coaches getting more and more stylish and bespoke for higher end use, the company began renting their luxury class coaches to some of the biggest artists known in the world. These include Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and more…

2001

Goodwins then went onto obtaining the full and official coach contract for the ECB (England Cricket Board).

2010

Go Goodwins began working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM), supporting public transport across Manchester and Cheshire.

2013

The company acquired Regency Road Pullman and Goodwins Classic relaunching The Seemore Travel brand.

2014

There were no words for the sadness that suddenly struck the company when Alan Edward Goodwin, the owner and founder of Go Goodwins Coaches, sadly passed away just before the New Year on 23rd December 2014. He built up an empire that will continue to progress and forever develop throughout the generations of the Goodwins family.

2015

Starting the year on a positive after celebrating the life of Alan, Goodwins founder, the company had to keep pushing forward and bringing the highest level of service to their loyal customers. Goodwins have some great plans for this year, one of which is a three pit VOSA AFT, MOT garage within their new building.