Travel agency chain Spear Travels is poised for further ‘careful’ growth following 40 years on the high street.
The group marked the milestone with a two-day celebration during which customers and local businesses were invited to toast the anniversary in stores, where exclusive discounts and prize giveaways were on offer.
Group managing director Peter Cookson said the agency continued to thrive despite the impact of the pandemic and would look to expand further.
He said: “We are immensely proud of everything that has been achieved throughout our journey, in particular in the very recent challenging times of the pandemic.
“We are going from strength to strength with our amazing teams, who have a vast range of experience and deliver exceptional customer service. We hope to continue the careful expansion of the business in due course.”
The first Spear Travels shop opened in Upminster in 1983, with a second launched 13 years later in 1996 by current director Derek Adams in Stoke-on-Trent.
That same year, the agency went on to launch another store in Boroughbridge, which was opened by directors Peter and Libby Cookson. Since then the chain has continued to expand – it now has 11 branches and 10 homeworkers, called associates.
Directors put the group’s success down to providing the right mix of specialist and tailor-made itineraries for clients, along with the expertise and customer service of its staff.
The company praised staff for their knowledge – and in many cases long service – as a result of worldwide fam trips and product training. Cookson also thanked loyal customers for continuing to book through the company.
He added: “We would like to put on record our appreciation of all our loyal customers, many of whom have booked with us since the beginning of our journey – some even when Derek, Libby and I were homeworkers for the company in the early 1990s. Without their custom we wouldn’t be where we are today.”