Grayscroft Coaches
Based: Head office and depot – Victoria Road, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. Outstation at Keeling Street, North Somercotes, Lincs.
Websites: www.grayscroft.co.uk, www. grayscroft-coaches.co.uk
Founded: April 1924 by Charles Barker, using Model T Ford lorry with a demountable bus body. Became Grayscroft Bus Services (name of his house) 1928 when he acquired a 14- seat Chevrolet and began service to Louth, still running today. Purchased Victoria Road depot in 1936.
Provided additional services for wartime personnel, resumed coach hire and excursions in 1950s after fuel rationing ended. Helped evacuate the population of Mablethorpe to the safety of Louth after the January 1953 North Sea flooding disaster which also waterlogged four of Grayscroft’s coaches.
Sons Bill, Dick and Noel Barker took over when their father died in 1961. They died, respectively, in 2018, 1985 and 2012. Bill’s eldest son, Stephen Barker, set up a Hertfordshire branch, Grayscroft Travel, in 1989 offering private hire, holidays and excursions. Younger brother Nigel Barker (who joined the company in charge of maintenance) became managing director 1994. Fourth generation member Ashley Barker became a director in 2018.
