Macclesfield’s Henbury Travel is moving 25 yards down the road to larger premises, allowing the agency to host more supplier events and provide a more comfortable setting for clients. The new location is just a short distance from the current premises on Chestergate.
Managing Director Richard Slater, a member of Abta’s board of directors, hopes to host events with major suppliers such as P&O Cruises, Cunard, APT, and Jet2holidays in the near future. A recent customer-facing event with Riviera Travel generated a five-figure sum in bookings, demonstrating the potential for these events.
Expansion Plans
Henbury Travel will take over the former Halifax branch on Chestergate in October, after the bank vacated the premises last year. The new shop is currently being refurbished by the landlord, who owns and lets over 100 properties across Macclesfield.
Slater revealed that Henbury will initially rent the ground floor, but may look to expand to the first and second floors of the same building in the future. He also suggested that the agency may recruit more staff to ensure they work “smarter not harder”. This potential expansion will enable the agency to increase its capacity to handle a growing number of clients and bookings, allowing for more efficient operations and improved customer service.
The new premises will allow Henbury to continue selling Jet2holidays and easyJet holidays, while also increasing bookings with other suppliers such as Prestige Holidays, If Only, and Typically Holidays. Slater noted that rail and cruise holidays have also seen an increase in bookings this year.
Industry Prospects
Slater is bullish on the prospects of his agency and other bricks and mortar operations. He predicted that some online travel companies may be in trouble in the next 10 years, as having a real person to talk to is still valued by customers.
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Having a real person to talk to – someone who knows what they’re doing and is there when you need them – still matters. This personal touch is something that Henbury Travel aims to provide in its new premises.
The new shop has the same depth as the existing one but is twice the width, providing more space for customers and staff. Slater plans to reuse the existing furniture from the current shop, as customers are not concerned about new furniture fittings.
New Premises
Chestergate, where the new premises are located, has 109 units, with 99 units currently occupied. Slater launched Henbury Travel from home in 2011, after being made redundant, and has since grown the business to become one of the largest on the street. The street’s high occupancy rate is a sign of its popularity and the demand for businesses in the area.
With the move to the new premises, Henbury Travel is set to become an even more prominent player in the local travel industry. The agency’s commitment to providing a personal touch and comfortable setting for clients is likely to serve it well in the years to come.
As the travel industry continues to evolve, it is clear that agencies like Henbury Travel are adapting to meet the changing needs of their clients. By focusing on what sets them apart, their expertise and personal service, they can continue to thrive in a competitive market.
Henbury Travel’s new premises will open in October.