27 April 2009

Hays steps in to acquire Freedom Direct assets

Hays Travel has acquired fellow North East travel company Freedom Direct Holidays after it ceased trading.

Hays has taken on the intellectual property rights of Freedom Direct, including customer database and bookings, web addresses and URLs for an undisclosed sum

The travel agency has pledged to assist former customers of Freedom Direct Holidays with the administration and handling of their bookings.

It is also in the process of offering employment to all staff members who lost jobs and are seeking work after Freedom Direct folded.

Hays Travel managing director John Hays said: "We were very sad to hear that Freedom Direct Holidays had ceased trading as it had a very good reputation and an excellent calibre of staff.

"Hays Travel was fortunately in a position to be able to purchase its assets.

"We have also been able to offer the Freedom Direct Holidays staff alternative employment as part of the Hays Travel team."

Nick Jackson, former managing director of Freedom Direct Holidays, and Grant Lawson, former head of sales, have both joined Hays Travel.

They will continue to manage the other Freedom Direct staff joining the company, which includes the majority of the customer services team, web and marketing team and call centre staff.

They will be based at Hays Travel offices in Ridley Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Vine Place, Sunderland.

The Freedom Direct Holidays office, based on Gosforth Park Avenue, is not included in the deal and is available for sale.

Mike Pott, recovery and insolvency partner at RMT Accountants and Business Advisors, said: "The sale of the Freedom Direct Holidays business to Hays Travel is a great result for both creditors and customers.

"RMT has a long and successful track record of providing advice within the industry and has been working hard in the interim period to assist customers as much as possible.

"Linda Farish and Anthony Josephs from RMT have been appointed joint administrators as of 23^rd April 2009, and will now be dealing with the realisation of the remaining assets and the claims of suppliers to Freedom Direct Holidays."

by Phil Davies