West Midlands-based BT Travel has joined a new agency consortium set up by The Midcounties Co-op Travel.
Lisa Whiston and Leigh Simmonds became proprietors of the firm in Solihull Lodge after manager/owner Pip Waterhouse died in April and her husband John retired in October and passed the business on to them.
The Co-op Consortium will retain principal Atol status for each of its members.
Midcounties has embarked on a strategy of rapid growth as it aims to become the leading independent travel retailer in the UK, with co-operative values at its core.
Midcounties’ group general manager of travel Alistair Rowland said: “More and more independents are recognising the benefits of joining our consortium.
“We are delighted that BT Travel is the latest independent to come on board. We have a number of other interested parties as the venture has continued to gain momentum.”
The Warwickshire-based consortium’s business development manager Gillian Travis said: “The consortium is attracting a wide variety of travel agents and we would be delighted to hear from others who share our vision and want to work with us.”
Simmonds said: “BT Travel has been established for 30 years. I have worked here for 16 years and Lisa for 26 years. When we were given the opportunity to run the business ourselves we could not turn it down.
“We have a number of regular clients and great rapport with them and we do well on personal recommendations to attract new customers. People still appreciate a friendly service and personal touch when it comes to arranging their holidays.
“We decided to join the Midcounties consortium because we liked their approach and they were the right choice for us.
“It is good to have the backing of such a group and while some of the systems are new to us the support we have had as a new member has been brilliant.”