Travel agent buys business she joined 25 years ago
A travel consultant has decided to take over the agency she joined 25 years ago rather than risk losing her job after being made redundant by Thomas Cook Co-operative Travel.
Hazel Simpson, far right, who was appointed branch manager of Limavady Travel in Northern Ireland in 1996 before it was acquired by Co-operative Travel, made the decision after being told the shop would close following its merger with Thomas Cook.
She has now decided to re-open the store as an Advantage Managed Services agent.
"I decided to run my business on the Managed Services model after talking to other owners and my former boss who sold the agency to The Co-op," she said.
"I felt this was the best option as it offered additional support for me, financial security for my clients with ABTA and ATOL bonding, and a market-leading front and back office system along with the responsibility for making supplier payments taken care of."
Simpson has re-opened the business across the road from the original Thomas Cook-Co-op store and taken a team of three with her, pictured here. Only one employee from TCCT chose not to join her.
"Advantage was recommended by one of their members. I spoke to Freedom and Barrhead but chose Advantage because they offered me the best service," she said.
" We have access to all the commercial agreements, marketing and point of sale which enable us to operate a very professional travel agency. Advantage’s experience of operating Managed branches enables them to advise on the start-up and how to operate day-to-day."
Simpson said she had been encouraged by the support from local people who have been calling into the existing store to wish her luck. "I am looking forward to hosting operator days for customers and I want to continue to deliver a first-class service to clients," she said.
"I will have an open day for local people to visit the store and I asked my first employer who was the owner of Limavady Travel 20 years ago to officially open the shop."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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