Midland “Red” Sites in Leicester
Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO—Midland “Red” Motor Services) first started operating bus services in Leicester on Wednesday 11th May 1921, when Service 68 operated by Nuneaton (Burgage Walk) garage between Nuneaton, Hinckley, Barwell and Earl Shilton was extended to Leicester (The Newarke). This was followed within a few months by services from Coventry and Tamworth, operated by Coventry garage and Tamworth (Two Gates) depot respectively.
BMMO operations in Leicester expanded rapidly and the first of several depots in the City opened on Saturday 26th August 1922, ready for a new network of services to start during the following month. By the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, the Leicester operations had expanded to become the largest operated by BMMO outside of Birmingham.
- Opened by Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO—Midland “Red” Motor Services) on Monday 1st February 1937, with an allocation of approx 45 vehicles.
- Allocation of 90 vehicles in 1956.
- Company renamed to Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) on Friday 29th March 1974, with a depot allocation of 69 vehicles and approximately 199 staff at this time.
- Depot closed in May 1980, with most services and vehicles moving to Leicester (Wigston) depot.
- Site used as a commercial car park.
- Control of Sandacre Street depot, Leicester, passed to the newly formed Midland Red (East) Limited on Sunday 6th September 1981 when Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited ceased trading as a bus and coach operator. Depot was not operational at this time.
- Company renamed to Midland Fox Limited on 24th January 1984.
- Site reopened as an operating depot by Midland Fox Limited in October 1985 to house a new minibus fleet operating services in Leicester under the name “Foxcub.”
- Closed in September 1996, with administration work moving to Thurmaston.
- Site sold, now in use as a Night Club, named “Zanbibar”
Page Top