Barrhead Travel, Newcastle

Barrhead Travel, Newcastle
One of TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2020

Barrhead in Newcastle’s Eldon Square has thrived since it opened in 2016 as the Scottish chain’s first English shop.

Repeat business is incredibly strong, yet the team is always experimenting with ideas to attract new clients, such as offering vouchers to nearby businesses and to the newly opened Sky offices nearby.

Manager Vanessa Rowley, who won Manager of the Year at Intu’s Eldon Square Retail Awards 2019, welcomes customers into the shop and supports the whole team to pick out clients’ dream holidays.

Customers can benefit from a wide range of payment plans on offer, which are displayed in the window, and at least one in-store event each month.

This includes cake sales for Cancer Research, “dress down” days for Abta LifeLine and collections for the homeless.

Even youngsters can get involved, with Vanessa hosting little ones from a local school to inspire a new generation of globetrotters and teach them about life as an agent.

She has also partnered with Newcastle College to offer tourism apprentices one week’s work experience every month, giving them valuable insight into the industry.

Additionally, customers who book in-store can Spin the Wheel for prizes ranging from chocolate to airport parking discounts – one keen customer even bought two holidays at once just to have a second spin.

During 2019, the 13-strong team turned its focus to customer service, by improving listening skills and always putting the client first.

This includes a welcome home call to every customer and wedding cards for couples going abroad for the big day.

Team members visited Malaysia, Japan, Kenya, Florida, the Bahamas and India in 2019, always sharing their top tips from the trips with the rest of the team upon their return.

It has all paid off, with sales up this year and expected to grow further in 2020.

barrheadtravel.co.uk