Business owners with The Travel Franchise have recently taken their remote set-up to retail following success
Travel agency franchise, The Travel Franchise, has typically offered franchisees the opportunity to operate home-based businesses.
However, while it still supports this, it has also championed those hoping to open up their own retail space.
Most recently, the franchise has supported three groups of established franchisees move from a home-based set up to a physical premises.
Rachael and Colman Coyne – Huddersfield
Husband and wife duo, Rachael and Colman, launched their retail unit on Lindley High Street, Huddersfield on 9th November 2024, following success working from home.
“Investing in our local area feels natural for us,” says Rachael. “Consumer confidence continues to be high and so we have decided to respond to customer demand by opening a new shop.
“We previously welcomed clients into our garden office to plan their next adventure, but our customer base has expanded enough to need additional staff and a high-street presence.”
James and Natasha Oliphant – Bagshot
James and Natasha have opened a new travel centre within Longacres Garden centre in Bagshot, with their newfound presence capturing a clientele base who want face-to-face reassurance.
“We’re finding that a number of new clients initially come to us because they’re bogged down with the information available online. They just want to come in and speak to someone,” says Rachael.
The duo are now considering appointing an additional member of staff, should business growth continue.
Kelly Baldwin - Cambridgeshire
Franchisee Kelly Baldwin has launched “The Travel Hub” on Cottenham High Street in Cambridgeshire. Having launched her Not Just Travel business in 2022 she’s scaled up rapidly and now oversees a six-person team.
Kelly says opening a retail location was a natural progression for her, allowing her team to gather in-person as well as blending the flexibility of homeworking with an office base, which promotes team wellbeing and better servicing the local community.
“We’re proud of the work the HQ team has done behind the scenes to enable our homeworkers to grow into high street retail,” says Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel (the consumer facing brand of The Travel Franchise). “Our consultants have adapted to their customers’ needs and we have adapted to the needs of our consultants.
“These are entrepreneurs who have built incredible businesses based on our company values and relationships and have achieved so much. We can’t wait to see what they achieve next.”
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