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Beacon Travel eyes growth as it marks 60th anniversary
The owner of Beacon Travel Service in Crowborough, East Sussex, is preparing for growth after marking the agency’s 60th anniversary.
Paul Philpott has been running the business on his own after having to let colleagues go during the pandemic – but a new member of staff will come on board in November as he builds up to the peak selling season.
The original owner, Trevor Williams, opened the agency’s doors on September 5, 1965, with Trevor’s father. In 1972, Trevor’s wife Sheila Williams joined the business.
Philpott joined almost 20 years ago and bought the business in 2010 when Sheila wanted to go part-time.
“I went to see Trevor and Sheila last night…we don’t live far from each other,” he said.
He had initially turned down the offer to take on the agency but a colleague, Lisa Parkes, suggested they buy and run the business together.
“But a year into taking it over, she unfortunately got breast cancer, and then a year later, she died,” he said.
“She was amazing. She was the voice of the business, and I was the bean counter. I had to certainly find my voice after she went. I had a lot to live up to.”
He had to let three colleagues go because of the pandemic – two had worked for him for 10 years and one for eight years.
“It has been quite challenging. I worked at a garden centre and an electrical company, and it was quite good to see whether I was still employable,” he recalled.
He was grateful for the support from his landlord, because he had two rent-free years, as well as government grants, to help the business ride out the pandemic.
The agency is a member of Worldchoice Plus, part of The Travel Network Group (TTNG), and he hailed the consortium’s backing.
“Abigail Shelton (TTNG membership manager) has been amazing,” he said.
He was able to network at TTNG’s conference in Bucharest in June – contacting the new Cruise Club to find out about boosting cruise sales, and learning about the group’s new AI-driven Digital Assistant.
“I’ve been using the Digital Assistant, and it’s absolutely amazing; it is improving all the time,” he said.
He is also working with TTNG’s marketing department to plan advertising to local golf clubs and families moving into new homes in the Crowborough area.
Other plans include agency events and the revival of popular coach day trips to London and tourist attractions in the southeast.
His new recruit used to work at a travel agency for about 28 years, but had been out of travel.
“They want to come back in [to travel], so it’s perfect timing,” he said, speaking from the same shop that opened in 1965.
“This is right in the centre of town and it’s really sociable.
“I couldn’t work from home. I like having an office and coming into work.”
TTNG said: “A huge congratulations to our Worldchoice Plus member Beacon Travel, who last week marked an incredible milestone – 60 years in business.
“Even more fitting, this anniversary coincided with National Travel Agents Day – the perfect moment to celebrate the dedication, passion, and service that Beacon Travel has delivered to its customers for six decades.
“Paul has shared how exciting this new chapter feels, with fresh energy, new technology, and a growing team ready to take the business into the future. We are so proud to have Beacon Travel as part of our network, and we can’t wait to see what the next era brings.”
Pictured below: Paul Philpott with Lisa Parkes, who was his business partner when they bought agency
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