Cornwall-based GoCruise & Travel homeworking agent Graham Bishop is planning a pop-up travel agency at weekends in his local pub.
He is working with Fred Olsen Travel – the parent of the GoCruise & Travel franchise – to develop the concept of a ready-made pop-up agency.
Fred Olsen is investing in branded pop-up marketing material, brochure racks and iPad stands to allow Bishop to trial the concept in the snug of the Hawkins Arms in Probus, near Truro.
“It’s more than just sitting at a desk,” he said.
“People have been asking me for face-to-face consultations – and we are lucky that we are in Tier 1, so we can go to the pub without having a substantial meal.”
The snug has a separate entrance from the rest of the pub and Bishop will be available for appointments and drop-in clients from 9am-6pm over the weekends, from January 3.
He has distributed leaflets around the village and has also started part-time work in the pub, which has helped him develop his network of clients.
“I’ve done a couple of shifts, and people say ‘you’re the travel agent, we’ll come to speak to you’,” he said.
“Over the past couple of weeks I have seen inquiries rising and I am getting more quotes turning into bookings as there is more confidence.”
In October, he joined forces with the pub and other local businesses to help deliver packed lunches to children in need.
He moved to Cornwall in the summer to set up a GoCruise franchise after leaving his role as south of England key account manager with G Touring, the parent of sister brands Travelsphere and Just You.