Joanna Bonnett • New Owner • May 2025

Service Bus • Helpston • 1920s

Harry & Edwin • Maxey depot • 1940s

Baker Perkins • Away Day • 1970s

Maxey Church • 2022

Celebrating 103 Years • Our Wonderful Journey
Shaws Coaches was founded in 1922 by Edwin ‘Teddy’ Shaw, the grandfather of the previous partners, Jane, Richard and Chris. Edwin had an engineering background in Yorkshire but during the Great War he was transferred to Peterborough to work for Peter Brotherhood as a millwright. Edwin fell for a local girl, they moved to Maxey and took the momentous decision to buy their first bus, which was kept in Mr. Frisby’s barn on Castle End Road. They ran a local service into Peterborough along with anything else that came their way, including furniture removals! They couldn’t afford to have the vehicle off the road for long and repairs were usually made by candle-light with the help of neighbours.
A couple of years later they took a chance and purchased the house and land at 49 High Street (where we are still based). After the war Edwin worked hard to build the business back up and by then he was joined by his son, Harry, whose favourite job was as team driver for Peterborough United! Harry gradually took over the running of the business and it flourished under his leadership. He had a real talent for buying and selling coaches with many winter Sundays spent journeying across the country to “look at a bus”.
Harry died suddenly in 1981 and it was then that his children Jane, Richard and Chris inherited the business with Richard’s wife Carol joining in 2010 and his daughter Tory, joining in 2015. Shaws first holiday brochure was published in 1982 with just six tours, one of which had just six passengers (including two family members!). Fortunately, the others did rather better and they risked increasing the programme to ten departures, and the rest, as they say, is history!
In early 2025, partners Jane, Richard and Chris took the momentous decision to retire and on 2 May the business was transferred to new ownership. New manager, Joanna Bonnett, lives in Peterborough and runs another successful coach operation in Welwyn - Reg's Coaches. Reg's was founded in 1962 and retains the supportive family feel that has been key to Shaws' own success. Shaws will remain at their base in Maxey offering the same professional, friendly service that they always have done with the support of a loyal team that have transferred to the new ownership.
If you have a story to share about your days spent travelling with Shaws please get in touch, we love to reminisce and to hear from old friends.
Our Values
Care. To provide a friendly, uncomplicated, personal service to our customers. To support our team to progress and achieve. To work together with our suppliers for the benefit of all.
Teamwork. We recognise and appreciate the contribution our team makes to the success of the business. A happy, trusted team, makes for happy, loyal customers.
Respect. Understand the needs and wishes of our customers. Value the honest partnerships we have with our suppliers, many of which have provided us with sterling service for many years. Provide an inclusive and supportive work environment for the team.
Responsibility. Safety is always at the forefront of our decision making.