Wrexham & Shropshire Ends Service

The organisation cited the unprecedented economic environment as a contributing factor and had determined that the business has no prospect of reaching profitability.

Wrexham & Shropshire launched in April 2008, restoring direct train services between Wrexham, Shropshire and London. The company quickly developed a reputation for excellence in customer service, which was rewarded in autumn 2010 with a 99% customer satisfaction score in the benchmark National Passenger Survey.

Chairman Adrian Shooter, CBE said: "Regrettably, we have concluded that the potential for further changes to the company's operations, including any synergy with Arriva Trains Wales, will not improve the financial position sufficiently. The shareholders have invested in excess of £13m in launching the business and funding its losses, and have now concluded that there is no reasonable prospect that Wrexham & Shropshire can become profitable, or offer a return on this investment."

In 2009 the original service of five trains per day was reduced to four. This was followed in December 2010 when two lightly used services were combined to reduce the service to three trains per day.

From Saturday 29th January, all Wrexham & Shropshire tickets already purchased will be valid on alternative routes into London Euston operated by Arriva Trains Wales, London Midland and Virgin Trains, and from London Marylebone by Chiltern Railways.

In a written statement, Chairman Adrian Shooter said: "Even though we are forced to close the business, we remain extremely proud of what we have achieved with Wrexham & Shropshire; with many stating that we set the standard for all other train companies to follow. I would like to pay tribute to Andy Hamilton, Managing Director, and everyone in the Wrexham & Shropshire team. Our people are the best in the business and have set the standard for others to follow."

The company also expressed gratitude to the local community for their support of the business including the many volunteers who gave up their time to hand out flyers and those individuals and organisations who have worked to encourage people to use the service.

Alternative employment opportunities within the railway industry are being sought for the 55 employees, and all staff wages and full redundancy entitlements will be paid.

The last train to depart will be the 1830 train from London Marylebone to Wrexham General on Friday 28th January 2011.

The Wrexham & Shropshire customer service centre will remain open to provide customer support. Customers wishing to speak to an adviser should call 0845 260 5200 (local call rate from anywhere in the UK).

Following today’s news that the Wrexham & Shropshire train service is to cease from this Friday, Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for economy and waste said: "I was very disappointed to hear the news about Wrexham & Shropshire train service.

“Having a direct rail link between Shropshire and London – particularly one that has been popular and much respected - has helped to increase the number of visitors to the county from the South East over the past two years, which has provided a real boost to the county's tourist industry and the local economy.

“It has also made it easy for people from Shropshire to visit the capital for business or pleasure.

“I am, of course, very concerned by the impact on the company's staff and have asked our Council Recruitment and Redundancy Support Group to work with Job Centre Plus and Wrexham & Shropshire railway company to find new employment and self-employment opportunities.

“We are now urgently working with our colleagues at Telford & Wrekin Council, and talking to the Department for Transport, in the hope that it will be possible to reinstate a direct rail link to London in the near future.”