Rotala strengthens position with new £1.8m acquisition

BIRMINGHAM-based transport group Rotala has strengthened its position in the UK bus sector.

The company, which operates the Flights coaches business, has used part of a new £11m bank facility to acquire the freehold interest in a depot presently leased by the group in the Bristol area.

The depot, at St. Andrews Road, Avonmouth, has been acquired from Silverton Investments Ltd for a consideration of £1.8m.

Rotala said of the new financing details: “These enhanced facilities will support Rotala’s aim of continuing to grow both organically and by acquisition.”

The funding package has been agreed by the Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate & Institutional Banking. 

Rotala operates scheduled bus services and provides private bus networks for corporates. It operates from a network of six depots across the West Midlands, North West, South West and Heathrow and carries around 35m passengers a year under a variety of brands including Diamond Bus, Wessex Connect, Flights Hallmark and Preston Bus.

The business has grown rapidly since it was set up via a blend of acquisition, new commercial routes and contract wins.