Family-run transport provider Shaws of Durham has been named Coach Company of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards, recognising a trusted local business that has built its reputation on safe journeys, reliable service and genuine care for the people it transports every day. Based in County Durham, Shaws of Durham provides professional coach hire across the region and beyond, specialising in school transport, private hire, day trips and group travel. The company combines traditional family values with a modern approach to passenger transport, making sure every journey is handled with care, attention and professionalism from start to finish. For the team behind Shaws of Durham, this award is more than recognition for a growing business. It is a tribute to the customers, schools, families, community groups, drivers and supporters who have helped shape the company’s journey since it was founded in 2022.

A Family-Run Coach Company With Transport in Its Blood

Shaws of Durham was founded in 2022, but the family’s connection to passenger transport goes back much further. The company is proud to carry forward a legacy that includes Shaw Bros of Byers Green, a name with deep roots in local transport history. That heritage is still physically present today through the family’s ownership of the original UFJ 292, a 1957 Guy Arab double-decker from the Shaw Bros fleet. That link to the past gives Shaws of Durham a strong sense of identity. This is not a business that appeared from nowhere simply to enter the coach hire market. It has been shaped by generations of involvement in passenger transport, and that history has inspired the team to build something that respects traditional values while meeting the needs of modern customers. In practice, that means offering a service that feels personal, dependable and professional. Whether transporting children to school, taking a group on a day trip or helping a family arrange private hire, Shaws of Durham understands that customers are placing real trust in the business. Every journey matters because every passenger matters. That attitude sits at the heart of the company and is one of the reasons this award feels so well deserved.

Safe, Reliable and Professional Transport Across County Durham

Shaws of Durham provides safe, reliable and professional transport across County Durham and beyond. The business supports a wide range of customers, including schools, families, businesses, charities and community groups, with services designed to make travel straightforward, comfortable and dependable. School transport is a particularly important part of the company’s work. Parents, schools and local organisations need to know that children are travelling with a provider they can trust. Reliability is essential, but so are safety, communication and consistency. Shaws of Durham takes this responsibility seriously, recognising that its service forms part of many families’ daily routines. Alongside school transport, the company also provides private hire, day trips and group travel. These journeys can be for all kinds of occasions, from community outings and business travel to family events and organised trips. Whatever the reason for travelling, the team aims to deliver the same high standard of care. For Shaws of Durham, coach hire is not just about getting from one place to another. It is about making sure passengers feel looked after throughout the journey.

Family Values at the Heart of the Business

What sets Shaws of Durham apart is its strong family values. As a family-run business, the team takes pride in creating a service that feels personal rather than transactional. Customers are not treated as booking references or one-off journeys. They are treated as people, many of whom return year after year because they trust the company and feel comfortable with the service they receive. Attention to detail is a key part of that approach. In passenger transport, small details can make a big difference. A clear booking process, a punctual arrival, a friendly driver, a clean vehicle and calm communication all help create confidence. Shaws of Durham understands that customers want to relax knowing everything has been taken care of properly. The company also places great value on long-lasting relationships. Schools, businesses and community groups need transport providers they can rely on again and again. By focusing on consistency, safety and customer care, Shaws of Durham has built strong relationships with the people and organisations it serves. This award reflects that trust and shows how much the local community values the company’s work.

Growing Into a Trusted Local Transport Provider

One of Shaws of Durham’s biggest achievements has been growing into a trusted transport provider that schools, businesses and families rely on every day. For a company founded in 2022, that progress is something to be proud of. Building trust in transport takes time, dedication and a constant commitment to doing things properly. The business has grown by showing up consistently for its customers. Every completed school run, private hire booking, group trip and day outing has played a part in building the company’s reputation. Over time, those journeys become more than individual bookings. They become proof that customers can depend on Shaws of Durham when it matters. Winning Coach Company of the Year is another significant milestone in that journey. The award reflects not only the work of the business, but also the support of the customers and local community who voted for it. For Shaws of Durham, the recognition is a proud reminder that the effort put in every day is being noticed and appreciated.

Overcoming Challenges in the Transport Industry

Like many businesses, Shaws of Durham has faced challenges along the way. Rising operating costs, industry-wide driver shortages and wider economic uncertainty have all placed pressure on transport companies. For a family-run business, those challenges can feel especially personal because every decision affects the team, the customers and the future of the company. The business has overcome these pressures through hard work, adaptability and a determination to maintain high standards. Rather than allowing challenges to weaken the service, Shaws of Durham has stayed focused on what customers need most: safe, reliable and professional transport they can trust. This resilience is a major part of the company’s story. Running a transport business is not just about owning vehicles and taking bookings. It involves planning, maintenance, staffing, compliance, customer service and constant attention to safety. When costs rise or drivers are harder to find, the pressure increases, but Shaws of Durham has continued to move forward while protecting the quality of service its customers expect.

Proud of the Journey So Far

The team at Shaws of Durham is particularly proud of how far the business has come as a small family company. Since launching, it has grown its fleet, developed strong relationships with local schools and organisations, and received positive feedback from customers who value the service provided. Seeing the fleet grow is a visible sign of progress. Each vehicle represents investment, confidence and another step forward for the business. For passengers, it means greater capacity and continued service. For the family behind the company, it reflects the hard work that has gone into building Shaws of Durham from an idea into a trusted local name. The relationships built along the way are just as important. Schools, community groups and families do not return to a company unless they feel confident in it. Positive customer feedback reminds the team why they started the journey in the first place. At its core, Shaws of Durham was created to be a transport business people could trust, and that mission continues to guide everything it does.

Supporting Schools, Charities and the Local Community

Supporting the local community has always been important to Shaws of Durham. The company works closely with schools, community groups and charities wherever possible, helping people access education, events and opportunities across the region. Reliable transport can play a bigger role in community life than people sometimes realise. It helps children get to school, enables groups to attend activities, allows families to enjoy days out and gives charities and local organisations the ability to connect people with events and services. Without dependable transport, many of these opportunities become harder to reach. As a local family business, Shaws of Durham believes in giving back to the community that has supported it. This is not just about providing a service. It is about being part of the fabric of local life. The company understands that its work affects real people and real communities, and it takes pride in helping them travel safely and reliably.

Why County Durham Means So Much to the Business

For Shaws of Durham, the local area is not simply where the business operates. It is home. It is where the family lives, raises its children, builds relationships and supports the people around them. That connection gives the company’s work added meaning. Many customers have supported Shaws of Durham for years, and the business takes great pride in helping local schools, companies, families and community groups travel safely. Those relationships are built on familiarity and trust. Customers know the name, recognise the service and feel reassured by the family values behind the business. Being part of the local area also brings responsibility. Shaws of Durham wants to represent County Durham well and provide a service the community can be proud of. Every journey is an opportunity to strengthen that reputation. Whether it is a daily school route or a special day trip, the company understands that local trust has to be earned repeatedly through consistent service and genuine care.

The Trust of Returning Customers

One of the most rewarding parts of the work for Shaws of Durham is the trust customers place in the business. Schools, families and community groups return year after year, often recommending the company to others because of the service they receive. That kind of loyalty is incredibly valuable. In passenger transport, people need to feel safe, valued and looked after. When customers return, it shows that the company has delivered on those expectations. When they recommend Shaws of Durham to others, it shows they are confident enough to put their own name behind that recommendation. The team never takes that trust for granted. Each journey is a chance to prove why customers continue to choose the business. Hearing that passengers feel comfortable, safe and cared for is what stands out most to the team. It reminds them that their work is about more than transport. It is about people, relationships and the confidence customers feel when they know they are in safe hands.

A Shocked and Emotional Reaction to Winning

When Shaws of Durham found out it had won Coach Company of the Year, the team was genuinely shocked and absolutely delighted. As a family business, they put their heart and soul into what they do every day, so discovering that customers and the local community had voted for them was an emotional moment. Awards can mean a great deal to small businesses because they recognise the work that often happens behind the scenes. Customers may see the coach arrive, the driver greet passengers and the journey run smoothly, but behind that are early starts, careful planning, vehicle checks, route organisation and a lot of responsibility. Winning this award shines a light on that effort. The fact that the win was supported by customer votes made it even more special. It showed that people cared enough to take the time to support the business. For Shaws of Durham, that is something they will never forget. The award is not only a business achievement; it is a shared moment with the community that helped make it possible.

What Winning Coach Company of the Year Means

Winning this award means the world to Shaws of Durham. It recognises the hard work, dedication and commitment that go into the business every single day. For the team, the award is a proud milestone, but the customer support behind it means more than any trophy ever could. The recognition confirms that customers value what Shaws of Durham does. That matters deeply because the business was built around trust. From the beginning, the aim was to provide transport people could depend on, delivered with care and professionalism. This award suggests that the company has stayed true to that purpose. It also gives the business encouragement for the future. Running a family business takes effort, resilience and belief, especially in an industry with rising costs and operational challenges. Awards like this provide a boost because they show that the hard work is making an impact. For Shaws of Durham, the win is both a celebration of what has been achieved and motivation to keep improving.

A Business Built on Genuine Customer Relationships

This award means so much to Shaws of Durham because it was made possible by the people who use and support the business. The company has always focused on building genuine relationships, providing excellent service and treating every customer like part of the Shaws of Durham family. That family feeling is central to the company’s identity. Customers want to feel that their booking matters, that their passengers will be looked after and that the people behind the business genuinely care. Shaws of Durham works hard to create that confidence through reliable service, professional drivers and strong communication. Knowing that customers took the time to vote is one of the greatest compliments the company could receive. It shows that the relationship goes beyond a single journey. Customers feel connected to the business and proud to support it. For a local company, that bond is priceless, and it is one of the reasons Shaws of Durham continues to grow its reputation across County Durham and beyond.

Investing in the Fleet and Expanding Services

Looking ahead, Shaws of Durham is excited to continue growing while staying true to the values that got it here. The company’s focus is on investing in its fleet, expanding its services and continuing to provide safe, reliable and professional transport for customers. Fleet investment is important because it supports comfort, reliability and confidence. Customers need to know that the vehicles they travel in are well maintained and suitable for their journey. As the business grows, continuing to invest carefully will help Shaws of Durham meet demand while keeping standards high. Expanding services also opens the door to supporting more schools, businesses, families and community groups across the region. Yet growth will not come at the expense of the personal approach that defines the company. Shaws of Durham wants to keep building on the trust it has earned, making sure customers continue to feel looked after every mile of the way.

Thanking Customers, Drivers, Family and the Local Community

Shaws of Durham would like to thank every single person who voted, supported the business and travelled with them over the years. The company is especially grateful to its loyal customers, local schools, businesses and community groups for placing their trust in the team. The business also gives heartfelt thanks to its fantastic drivers and team. They are the face of Shaws of Durham every day, delivering the professionalism, dedication and care that customers have come to expect. Their work plays a huge part in building the trust and relationships the company has within the community. Shaws of Durham also recognises the importance of family support. As a family-run business, every achievement is shared. The dedication, hard work and encouragement behind the scenes help make everything possible. When Shaws of Durham began, the goal was simple: to build a business people could trust. To now be recognised as Coach Company of the Year by the very people it serves is beyond anything the team could have imagined. Every mile travelled, every school run completed, every day trip enjoyed and every customer who has chosen Shaws of Durham has played a part in this achievement. This award belongs not only to the business, but to its customers, drivers, team, families and everyone who has supported the journey. Thank you for believing in Shaws of Durham and allowing the team to do what they love every day.