A RENFREW coach company has been placed into liquidation after being badly hit by coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Gibson Direct, based in Neil Street, held a number of contracts to provide school buses to councils and transport for football supporters’ clubs, as well as offering wedding and executive coach hire.

Established in 1996, it had a fleet of 50 vehicles that operated in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.

However, the company was unable to recover from the impact of two years of lockdown restrictions.

All 25 staff were made redundant last week when a petition to liquidate was granted.

Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig, of Begbies Traynor, have been appointed as joint provisional liquidators.

“Unfortunately, like many other sectors, transport services have suffered from the impact of Covid, with multiple lockdowns resulting in businesses facing periods without revenue,” said Mr Pattullo, who is managing director of the corporate restructuring firm.

“In particular, Gibson Direct was severely affected by the repeated withdrawal of school bus services over the last two years as remote learning for children was implemented and this proved to be too heavy a burden for the business to bear.

“We are currently in the process of realising any assets we can to provide the best return for creditors, as well as liaising with councils and alternative operators to help minimise disruption and cover the school bus services.”

Liquidators also said they will help former staff who want to register claims with the Redundancy Payments Office and access support services from Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE).

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “Arrangements are being made to ensure alternative school buses are in place when pupils return to school.

“We will confirm the new arrangements with parents and carers.”