AL’S COACHES
Based: Head office and depot – Cleveland Street, Birkenhead.
Website: www.alscoaches.co.uk
Founded: 1969 by fish-&-chip shop-owner Thomas Arthur Cullinan with 12-seat Ford Transit. Traded as Happy Al’s, named after Al Capone. Added 20-seat Plaxton Embassybodied Bedford coach, followed by 29-seater. Coach business expanded and the fish shop sold. Moved to present depot between Corporation Road and Cleveland Road in late-1980s, operated tendered local bus services post-deregulation and increased school contract work.
Sons Christopher and Mark and daughter Sandra have become directors, with third generation family members working in business. Happy Al’s name sidelined 2005 with incorporation of company.
Withdrew from tendered bus services 2006 in favour of upgrading coach fleet, and operating tours on behalf of such companies as Alfa Travel. Restarted tendered local service operation 2021.
