THE Holidays in a Box concept could be revived as a
direct and web operation by spring next year, according to the boss
of failed parent company Creative Travel Group.
Former managing director Nigel Smith said he aims to salvage the
brand and resurrect it as a UK product selling city and theatre
breaks and special occasion packages, for events such as
Valentine’s and Mother’s Day.
Accountants BDO Stoy Hayward put the company into liquidation
last week, but Smith said he was optimistic about starting a new
venture.
Smith said: “I did try to persuade the liquidators to keep
the company running in administration but they felt it sensible to
liquidate and start afresh.”
Smith said he hoped to strike a new deal with its biggest
creditor Argos, which pre-purchased £891,000 worth of boxes,
but sold only £25,000 worth before CTG folded. Argos continued
to track requests for the product – featured in its brochures
– through stores and claims it would have sold out of the
boxes by now, said Smith.
He is to send a proposal to Argos this week and is looking to
set up a call-centre in the Midlands to support a possible deal,
subject to liquidator approval.
A quarterly direct mail will continue to be produced, with the
next edition appearing in the spring. Smith said he hoped to
re-establish its online presence by the end of the year.
The previous operation was dogged by distribution problems
because of the high costs of the actual boxes.
Smith said eight staff are continuing to work on a voluntary basis
with the company, out of 26 at the time it ceased trading on
November 1.
Around £60,000 is owed to other creditors.