Beverley Travel co-owner hails ‘great response’ to new shop Wicstun Travel

Beverley Travel co-owner Karl Douglas has revealed new shop Wicstun Travel has posted a strong start since opening this month, spurring on plans for a five-strong retail network within the next year.

The store in Market Weighton, between Hull and York, opened on June 7 and will have its marketing costs supported by a £10,000 grant from Jet2holidays after Douglas and business partner Kelly Cheesman succeeded in the tour operator’s Scale Up Your Street competition.

Douglas said there had been a “great response” to the new branch, adding: “One of our team members lives in Market Weighton and used to work in Going Places and Thomas Cook, so it’s a bit of a homecoming for her.”

The shop, which is staffed by two agents, follows the establishment of Beverley Travel in 2020 and the opening of Hedon Travel last year.

The Wicstun Travel branding was chosen to reflect the Anglo-Saxon name for Market Weighton, as referenced in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Douglas said he and Cheesman are aiming to open a further two shops by June next year at the latest.

Business has been strong in recent weeks, Douglas said. “We’re trading up on last year. We’ve heard lots of people are trading flat, so we’re trading at the upper end of market performance,” he added.

Each of the stores sells “everything”, from traditional package holidays to long-haul tailor-made trips and cruises.

“Our aim with all of our stores is to become part of the local community and support local causes and be a respected local business,” Douglas said.

He and Cheesman also introduced Swanland Travel on a franchise model last year.