Premier-Albanian Coaches of South West Herts 1923-2003- A Photographic Retrospective

Premier-Albanian was the leading independent coach operator in South West Hertfordshire from the 1930s to the 1990s. It was started in 1923 as a local bus service; survived near bankruptcy in the 1930s; worked for Government and military agencies throughout the Second World War; and emerged to became a leader in seasonal express services, tours, contracts and private hire based on Watford and St Albans (hence Albanian). Always family owned, the business was renowned for its smart modern fleet and was extensively patronised by local citizens. From 1973 (to celebrate the company's first 50 years), commercially-licensed heritage coaches were added to meet demand for something different. This book is lavishly illustrated with over 160 images. The majority have been taken from family archives and have never before appeared in print. Extended captions tell the 80-year story from Ernest Hewitt's first bus in 1923 to closure in 2003.