Donnelly becomes the loan arranger

FORMER Holiday Hypermarket boss John Donnelly plans to sell loans and properties from his new retail venture, The Holiday Factory.

Due to open on November 17, the 1,000 sq ft satellite store in Cannock town centre is Donnelly’s return to retail following months spent on gardening leave from the First Choice Group.

In addition to using the shop as a traditional travel agency, Donnelly has been given the go-ahead to sell loans after being granted a credit broker licence by the Office of Fair Trading.

Working on a Windows-based computer system, Holiday Factory agents will be prompted to ask customers whether they need a loan to pay for their holiday. Details will then be passed to broker Promise Finance, with the agent earning commission.

Donnelly plans to sell the computer system to independent agents to enable them to sell non-travel products.

“There are some great independent agents out there, with great windows on the high street, so what’s stopping them selling other stuff?” he said.

The Holiday Factory will also sell properties and advertise rented accommodation in Spain.