Independent agency Chatsworth Travel has marked its 20th anniversary by holding a party for more than 100 customers – some travelling as far as 80 miles to attend.
Owner and director Gail Bateman works alongside her daughter, Jess – who is operations and after-sales manager – and consultants Joanne Hallett, Amy Webster, Jayne Hardy and Kathryn Hallam.
Gail has been in travel since 1981, and took a career break to have her children in 1990.
She returned to the industry in 1999, setting up her agency from home, then moving into premises on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, in 2003.
Gail said: “The highly experienced team pride themselves on traditional values – good old-fashioned personal customer service, uncompromising integrity, genuine advice, value for money and a forward-thinking ability to move with the times – keeping abreast of new and exciting holiday types, destinations and marketing media for their business.
“Keeping ahead of the game with ongoing staff training and educational experiences helps the Chatsworth Travel ladies to offer the best possible advice to our customers.”
As well as the party, the agency ran a Facebook competition, and advertised its anniversary event in the Derbyshire Times.
Chatsworth Travel is a member of the Elite Travel Group, and also runs its own solo travellers club, managed by Hallett.
The solo travel club aims to overcome the problem of single supplements, and helps its 80+ members to save money by booking holidays with low or no single supplements.
From left: Amy Webster, Jayne Hardy, Joanne Hallett, Kathryn Hallam, Gail Bateman and Jess Bateman.