It all started in 1929 when Harry Phillips bought his first coach, a new 20 seat Dennis. The first Empress garage was built the following year in Harry's back garden in Edmund Road, Hastings, remaining in use until 1990.
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Harry was able to keep the coach operational during the war by ferrying the Home Guard up to Rocklands in Barley Lane, Hastings and by continuing regular trips to Hellingly Hospital.
Harry's son, also named Harry, passed his P.S.V. test in 1946 and began driving the coach with Harry senior acting as conductor on some of the trips and excursions.
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Harry Phillips Snr. died in 1970 and the business was carried on by Harry Jnr.
Harry sold Empress to Tony Patten in July 1971 and we moved to our current premises in 1978.
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Stephen Dine, the current owner of Empress Coaches, bought the company in August 1999 having worked here for 15 years.
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An early Empress minibus. A very popular service due to us being one of the few operators to offer vehicles of this size early on.
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A mystery drive for 2 hours for 55p return, now that's a bargain if ever I saw one. I'm told the shirt was in fashion too!!
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And on the left.....A lovely early twin steer Bedford belonging to Empress. They don't make them like that anymore.
Thankfully !
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And finally for this page, a couple of posers from way back, ours is on the left.
From left to right....Steven Dine, current owner, then Harry Phillips Jnr. and on the right is Tony Patten. Posing at our garage in St.Leonards.
