Family-run bus refurb business in Northumberland secures rural funding

A long-established family business in Northumberland is driving its expansion plans with a five-figure rural funding package.

Ashington-based Thornton Brothers Ltd, founded in 1979, was awarded £48.8k through the North East Rural Growth Network.

The cash boost supported the firm as it diversified into bus refurbishment work, after years of focusing on truck refurbs.

It has already nabbed deals with a number of large transport operators, including Arriva, Abellio and London United.

Northumberland investment organisation Arch helped Thornton Brothers by assigning a high-growth coach to assist the company with its funding application.

Arch recognised that the company’s expansion project was a good fit with the Rural Business Growth Scheme, through support delivered under the Business Northumberland programme.

The deal follows a visit earlier this year from Barclays Group CEO Jes Staley, when he announced the launch of a new £500m growth fund for Northern SMEs.