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Ex-ABTA president’s agency calls in administrators
The independent agency headed by former ABTA president Martin Wellings is to close after more than 50 years.
Personal Service Travel has appointed administrators to wind down its business.
The company, with an annual turnover of £14 million and one of the largest independent agencies in the South of England, said in a statement that it was unwilling to meet substantially increased bonding requirements from ABTA and the decision was made to close.
Eight of the company’s offices will continue to trade as franchises of Premier Travel Agency.
The company’s branches in Eastbourne, Haywards Heath, Seaford, Heathfield, Reigate, Hailsham, Bexhill-on-Sea and St Helier in Jersey, will continue to exist as travel agencies, managed by their existing staff under a franchise agreement with Premier. The PST shop in Battle will close.
Premier Travel Agency deputy managing director Greg Mould said: “These eight offices will join other branches under the Premier brand and allow us to further expand within South East England. We share the same service values as PST and it is great to be able to retain their staff.”
PST Corporate, a separate business travel agency, will continue to trade under the ownership of Wellings.
Founded in Eastbourne in 1953, Personal Service Travel has always been under the ownership of the Wellings family. It maintained a focus on service and quality and had a loyal customer base.
PST has arranged all forms of travel, specialising in cruising, tailor-made holidays and long-haul. The average member of staff had been with the company for more than 12 years.
Wellings said: “After 54 years it is sad for this company to bow out after such good run arranging travel for thousands of holidaymakers.
“But I am pleased that the majority of our staff will be able to continue in their jobs under the franchise agreement with Premier. I hope they will continue to be successful and will have a strong future.”
PST has appointed London-based accountants Cooper Young to administer the closing of Personal Service Travel Ltd. Personal Service Travel Ltd. also traded as Direct Travel and PST.
by Phil Davies
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