Total Travel has opened the doors to a new branch in West Yorkshire, and is off to a flying start with more than £100,000 worth of sales in just six days of trading.
Owner Katie Butler, who already as a branch in Heckmondwike, near Leeds, had been keen to expand for a while when a location in the market town of Ossett, Wakefield came up in June.
She explained: “We have been after an office in Ossett for some time, and when this unit came up, I jumped at the chance and it really has been all systems go since.
“Business has been really good so far. We opened on 22 September, so we had six trading days in September and we have already done £100,000 of sales. For a new shop this is great and we are delighted.”
Katie who has been in travel since she left school, opened her first shop in Heckmondwike in 2013 after it was initially closed by Thomas Cook.
When Katie set about looking for staff for the new store she was worried she wouldn’t be able to recruit due to reluctance in the industry post-pandemic. However, that wasn’t the case and she now has a team of four in place.
She explained: “We have a great team in Ossett – we have Alison Goldthorpe who actually worked in the same shop when it was a TUI store, so she has gone full circle. We also have Emma Oldroyd who worked at a Thomas Cook branch in the town.”
Adding to the team is Rachel Smith, who has more than 17 years’ industry experience, and Claire Palmer, who worked for Hays Travel for a short period in the bureau de change.
The shop is part of Midcounties Co-Operative and works closely with Jet2, as well as all other operators.
Katie concluded: “The response from the local community has been brilliant. Many have said it’s great to now have us in the town.
Main picture shows, from left, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways Regional Sales Manager Leiza Sullivan, Balkan Holidays RSM Wayne Szczambura and Katie outside the new shop.
The post Independent agency opens new shop and hits £100k in sales in first week appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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Owner Katie Butler, who already as a branch in Heckmondwike, near Leeds, had been keen to expand for a while when a location in the market town of Ossett, Wakefield came up in June.
She explained: “We have been after an office in Ossett for some time, and when this unit came up, I jumped at the chance and it really has been all systems go since.
“Business has been really good so far. We opened on 22 September, so we had six trading days in September and we have already done £100,000 of sales. For a new shop this is great and we are delighted.”
Katie who has been in travel since she left school, opened her first shop in Heckmondwike in 2013 after it was initially closed by Thomas Cook.
When Katie set about looking for staff for the new store she was worried she wouldn’t be able to recruit due to reluctance in the industry post-pandemic. However, that wasn’t the case and she now has a team of four in place.
She explained: “We have a great team in Ossett – we have Alison Goldthorpe who actually worked in the same shop when it was a TUI store, so she has gone full circle. We also have Emma Oldroyd who worked at a Thomas Cook branch in the town.”
Adding to the team is Rachel Smith, who has more than 17 years’ industry experience, and Claire Palmer, who worked for Hays Travel for a short period in the bureau de change.
The shop is part of Midcounties Co-Operative and works closely with Jet2, as well as all other operators.
Katie concluded: “The response from the local community has been brilliant. Many have said it’s great to now have us in the town.
Main picture shows, from left, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways Regional Sales Manager Leiza Sullivan, Balkan Holidays RSM Wayne Szczambura and Katie outside the new shop.
The post Independent agency opens new shop and hits £100k in sales in first week appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
