Specialist cruise agency Reader Offers has moved offices to cope with the expansion of the business.
The new premises, which are more than twice the size of its previous site, are in Lexden, just outside Colchester, Essex, in a refurbished 17th-century manor house.
Reader Offers managing director Peter Beadles said the move will allow the client service team to work together at one time rather than having to do shifts because of lack of space. It will also enable the company to expand its marketing and account handler teams to look after the increasing number of cruiselines it is selling.
“We started selling Cunard and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and they are our biggest brands, accounting for 50% of our business. But we also sell a lot of others lines, such as P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess, and have recently taken on several new brands to us,” he said.
These include Yachts of Seabourn, Seven Seas Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines, Star Clippers, MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises.
Beadles said Reader Offers employs 107 staff, up from 85 a year ago and 35 five years ago. Turnover this year is expected to be £120 million, up from about £100 million last year and £12 million in 2005.
“That’s not bad in a recession. I put if down to consistent good service and marketing. You have to go out and tell people what a great holiday cruising is,” he said.
Picture: Reader Offers managing director Peter Beadles (far right) opens the company’s new premises with Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Henry Spyvee (far left)