ILKESTON Co-op Travel is hoping to hire former Butlins Redcoats and resort reps to work as sales staff in its new Sheffield superstore.
Managing director Chris Smith said experienced travel agents are now hard to find because they have been snatched up due to recent retail expansion in the industry. Instead, the company has decided to train staff from outside the business.
“We are after entertainers – Redcoats, Bluecoats and ex- reps. We want people with an extrovert nature. They will have had work in the entertainment area and now want to put down some roots in the travel industry,” said Smith.
The 8,000 sq ft superstore, the company’s second, will open in October.
Ilkeston is planning several undisclosed initiatives, one of which is thought to be looking after customers up to the departure of their holiday.
Smith said: “We want to improve customer service. One of the most traumatic times for people is the period before they go on holiday. They have to organise the cat and cancel the milk. It would be nice if someone took that off their hands.”