A NEW travel shop is set to open in a former National Holidays booking office left vacant following the company's collapse last year.
The coach holiday firm Caledonian Travel is set to open the shop in Middlesbrough bus station in coming weeks.
The firm is also in the process of recruiting for a number of roles including sales agents and a sales supervisor within the Teesside shop.
Read more: Caledonian Leisure Ltd born from collapse of National Holidays
Under its previous owners, Caledonian Travel collapsed into administration along with National Holidays in June 2020.
But after the brand was purchased by new owners the Caledonian Leisure Ltd, the company has relaunched UK based coach breaks and holidays.
It has named a number of departure points on Teesside and in the Tees Valley including Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington.
Martin Lock, Commercial Director at Caledonian Travel, said that despite a surge in online bookings, the company said it was no substitute for brick and mortar stores.
“Whilst we’re currently enjoying a surge in bookings through our new look website, there’s no substitute for face-to-face customer service delivered by knowledgeable agents.
"The new travel centre will be a great addition to Middlesbrough town centre, and we can’t wait to welcome new and existing customers through its doors when we open.
“Whether people are looking to book a great value coach holiday or simply want advice, our friendly staff will be on hand to help.”
Following the purchasing of the Caledonian Travel brand, a number of management behind the relaunch had come from the previous company and National Holidays.
Mr Lock said: “With over 130 years’ experience between the management team and having successfully built the National Holidays brand in the North East, we know there is a strong appetite for coach travel in the area and have a firm understanding of what the customer wants, good quality products at sensational value.”
“Developing a strong retail presence in key departure towns, like Middlesbrough, is central to our growth strategy and expansion of the Caledonian Travel brand.”
The firm has said all travel booked is protected by Caledonian Travel’s independently audited “Gold Standard” Trust which retains payments until they travel.
It also said they are offering customers a guaranteed seven day refund if their holiday is cancelled.
To view the vacancies at the new travel shop - click here
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here