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Barrhead to open 20 ‘superstores’
Scottish travel agency chain Barrhead Travel is looking to open 20 ‘superstores’ in England, Wales and Ireland within 18 months.
Chairman Bill Munro said 12 sites have been earmarked but he’d like to make it 20.
Each superstore will employ at least 20 staff and will act as catalysts for further franchise deals and homeworking opportunities in the surrounding areas.
"We’re not going to be in every high street, but wherever we see the opportunities, we’ll be there," said Munro.
He said the first superstore would be open by Christmas and further details will be announced next week.
Meanwhile, he said Barrhead would continue to expand its franchise operation.
"We’re already in discussion with a number of locations and people and landlords," said Munro.
"We have a proven track record and definitely seem to be getting it right in Scotland, so there’s no reason why we can’t take the model into other areas throughout the UK."
He said Barrhead had expanded rapidly in the high street during the recession.
"It’s interesting to see that the likes of Flight Centre, Virgin and Kuoni are all talking about retail expansion," he added.
"They’re all watching what we’re doing and starting to copy us. Now they’re all piling in behind us."
Barrhead has today announced a partnership with The Travel Network Group which it says will help with its expansion beyond Scotland.
Munro says the deal will make it easier to form relationships with suppliers in parts of the UK where it has previously had no need to do so.
Founded in 1975, The Barrhead Travel Group has grown from a single high street shop to a group with 850 employees across 56 UK outlets, including a 100-seat contact centre in Cumbria.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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