Former Harvey World Travel boss John Donnelly is poised to open new travel outlets in existing high-street shops and former car showrooms.
Donnelly, the man behind First Choice’s Holiday Hypermarkets, has identified three or four locations for his new company, the Tuxedo Group, to open before Christmas. Brands will include Tuxedo Travel and Tuxedo Classic Cars.
The outlets will have self-booking pods, plasma screens and web cams as well as coffee bars called Crooners.
Donnelly, who left Harvey World Travel in July, said there were plenty of opportunities to get prime retail space on the high street by renting out areas within existing shops. He said: “A lot of retailers like to rent out space. There are certain areas where you can pick up prime locations.”
Donnelly – who will put up his own classic cars for rent – will also use former car showrooms for his new business. Customers will be able to rent out a classic car as well as book a holiday.
The business will open its first outlets in the Midlands, but hopes to roll out outlets nationally.