Premier Travel optimistic sales will go 'from strength to strength'

Premier Travel is optimistic sales will go “from strength to strength” at the stores it has taken over from Baldwins Travel as it reveals plans to refit the branches over the coming weeks.

The stores in Tonbridge, Maidstone and Uckfield will have new chairs and desks added as well as new Premier Travel signage.

Managing director Paul Waters said two of the shops were likely to undergo a refit prior to reopening in late August or early September while the third could take slightly longer.

“It’s a good opportunity to refresh the branches and we have chosen to do the refits; they just need a bit of love and attention,” said Waters.

More: Baldwins Travel staff ’key to future success of Premier Travel branches’

He said existing Baldwins staff would be key and was confident of the chain’s future under Premier, adding: “Staff have the autonomy to sell what is right for the customer. I can see sales going from strength to strength.”

He said the refits were also important for the staff who were returning to work in their original shops.

“The staff have had a tough few months,” he said, but added: “They are excited to be re-employed. They are coming to us very positive and very happy.”

Premier Travel has not bought the customer databases and has yet to announce its arrival to the local communities in each branch area.

Waters noted: “At the moment we have not promoted what is happening because it’s still branded as Baldwins Travel. We probably won’t go out to the market there until we have rebranded.

“I think customers will be more concerned about the staff than anything else. They will be pleased for them.”

Premier Travel already sold similar tour operators to Baldwins but he said: “We will be adding three or four suppliers that they [Baldwins] didn’t have commercial relationships with so we will be able to widen their range of suppliers.”

The branches already sold and were “keen supporters” of Premier Holidays, the sister tour operator of Premier Travel, he added.

The takeover brings the total number of shops in Premier Travel’s network to 31. Of the total, 26 shops are owned and run by Premier Travel, three are franchises and two are managed service branches. The company also has eight homeworkers.