Call centre agency Bolsover Cruise Club is looking to attract more new-to-cruise customers as it prepares to open its first retail store.
Bolsover is to open a shop in Meadowhall shopping centre on
the outskirts of Sheffield – 20 minutes’ drive from its offices in Chesterfield – early next month.
Managing director Michael Wilson first looked at opening a store almost 15 years ago and several times since, but said there had not been an opportunity for another agency in the centre.
Describing the new shop as “a trial”, Wilson said that while he wasn’t looking to open more shops, he wouldn’t rule it out if the right opportunity presented itself.
Wilson has high hopes for the store, which will operate as The Cruise Holiday Shop, and aims to achieve a turnover of £10 million within two years.
“It won’t have the Bolsover name on the front but The Cruise Holiday Shop,” he said.
“We know our brand has great value and recognition with repeat guests and in cruise circles, but it doesn’t shout cruise to those who don’t know us. Staff will be wearing the Bolsover uniform so it will tie the two together nicely.”
He said the shop would enable Bolsover to build up its database.
A kiosk in the store will enable potential customers to input their contact details.
Bolsover recently took on 12 members of staff, but Wilson said the new shop would be staffed by long-serving and knowledgeable employees.