Just Go First Choice

A DEAL making miniple Just Go First Choice’s first franchise could just be the start as agent commissions dwindle.

Discussions were under way on Wednesday to finalise arrangements that will see Just Go’s 16 shops in the northwest and Wales rebranded with the First Choice name.

It is understood Just Go will be offered better commercial terms than third-party agents as First Choice follows Thomson’s commission-slashing lead.

First Choice Retail managing director Cheryl Powell claimed to have been approached by a number of independent agents since the franchise scheme was announced in March.

Talks with another miniple, Let’s Go, failed because First Choice already has a strong presence in the southwest.

Let’s Go managing director Simon Maunder said franchises were better for customers than constantly changing commercial deals and, with Thomson, Global Travel Group and Harvey World Travel all looking for franchises, were the way forward for agents.

“Franchising is a more robust and long-term commercial relationship with a supplier and that has to be better for both sides,” he said. “It gives everybody a clear road map of where their business is going and what their expectations should be.”

Just Go was founded by former United Norwest Co-op manager Mark Johnson and Don Bircham. It has grown rapidly since starting as one shop in Mold in 2000 and now employs 80 people.

Last year it announced a raft of deals to supply holidays through publications such as Loot, and the OneTV satellite channel. However, Johnson said recent changes in the industry had forced a complete review of Just Go’s strategy.