FORMER Late Escapes chief John McLean has returned to the industry by launching a company selling flights and package holidays through Teletext, the Internet and interactive television.
McLean sold Late Escapes to Airtours in October 1994. He ran the division for two years and then took three years off. The new outfit, LetsEsc@pe.com, will also see former colleagues Nicola Defty, Karen Tuer and Christine Bulloch return to the fold.
Defty was general manager at Late Escapes and went on to work for Going Places Direct. Tuer and Bulloch were Late Escapes regional manager and personnel/administration manager respectively.
McLean said initially Teletext would provide the bulk of sales with an Internet site established soon after the business opens on January 4. The digital television presence would then follow.
“We understand the Teletext business already and that will be the mainstay of the business at first,” he said.
The business, funded by the proceeds of the Late Escapes sale, will have its headquarters and one call centre at Darlington with another in Newcastle, creating 70 jobs.