Barwell customers still left in limbo

Calls continue to flood in to insurance company Towergate Chapman Stevens following the demise of Barwell Travel last week.

The company provided financial failure insurance for customers of Barwell, which has gone into voluntary liquidation.

Tony Gilpin, managing director of Towergate Chapman Stevens, said it was still not able to pay out on the insurance as Barwell is not yet legally insolvent.

“We are still getting phone calls from customers and we’re trying to help them, but we’re caught in limbo,” he said.

He said the company was advising customers who booked with a credit or a debit card to call their card issuer in order to try and proceed with loss recovery.

It is also urging customers to call business recovery company called Bridge BR which is currently working with Barwell in order to try and preserve as much of the business as possible. Bridge BR is on 0207 025 6144.

Although Barwell Travel had an ATOL, it was licensed to sell just 600 packages a year and it is believed the majority of its bookings were for accommodation-only at La Manga Club, which would not have been protected.

A spokesman for La Manga Clubs said it was trying to find a solution for its Barwell customers.

“The last thing we want to do is make guests pay twice for their holidays so will be liaising with all affected guests to find a suitable resolution,” he said.

“We’re confident that if all affected Barwell customers contact us in good time, between ourselves, the guests and the relevant companies handling Barwell’s demise we can do just that.”

He said there are no guests staying at La Manga Club currently who had booked with Barwell Travel.

“We do, however, have some bookings through Barwell for later in the month. If the people concerned have any worries whatsoever with regards to their arrangements we will advise accordingly, as, of course, the bookings will be different for each party meaning their concerns may not be the same. As with any booking we will handle any issues sympathetically, with the guests’ happiness being our prime concern.”

La Manga Club CEO Julio Delgado said he was surprised at the reasons given for Barwell’s demise by parent Leisurefare, which bought Barwell in 2008.

“Barwell Travel was just one of dozens of travel partners across Europe selling packages to La Manga Club, but it was a struggling entity when Leisurefare acquired it in 2008.

“Leisurefare obviously felt they could turn it around in difficult trading times but have failed to do so.

“It is true that fewer airlines are flying to Murcia currently than in previous years, but that is indicative more of the current economic climate rather than any other trading factor.

“It is clear that Barwell has been struggling to sell packages to La Manga Club for some years now – and in fact diversified its portfolio several years ago in an attempt to combat this – but our occupancy rates and the success of dozens of other travel partners across the continent suggest the problem does not lie with the resort.

“They are continuing to trade successfully to the mutual benefit of all involved.”

By Bev Fearis