Lyndsey Burgess, co-owner of Travellers World in Brynmawr, and business partner Tyrion Kivell-Davies are in the final stages of acquiring the shop from its landlord after being offered first refusal on the property earlier this year.

"It’s pretty much all done – just the final stages with solicitors and the mortgage provider," Burgess told TTG. "To think we now own the building as well as the business is just very exciting."

The deal was made possible after Hays Travel stepped in to support the pair. "We didn’t know Hays offered this sort of help," said Burgess, whose agency is a member of the Hays Travel Independence Group.

"It came up during a general catch-up with our regional manager. We'd mentioned we'd been approached by the landlord and didn’t know if we’d be in a position to buy, given the current economic situation. They said, 'well, we can help you', and it all went from there."

(Credit: Travellers World)

Burgess joined Travellers World straight from school and has now been in the business for 27 years. The agency itself has traded for more than five decades, changing hands several times before she and colleague Kivell-Davies took it over 15 years ago.

"At that point, the previous owners were looking to move on, and we had the opportunity to buy," she said. "We explored different consortiums – whether to join Hays, Worldchoice or others – and we decided on Hays. We’ve never looked back."

She credits that decision, in part, to an early encounter with a Hays trade representative. "She was just so approachable and friendly, you could see straight away how personable Hays are," Lyndsey said. "We’re very proud to be part of their family."

Travellers World was one of the earliest Hays-affiliated agencies in South Wales, at a time when the Sunderland-headquartered group had limited presence in the region.

'Our dream team is back together'

The business today employs a small, close-knit team; besides Burgess and Kivell-Davies, there is senior consultant Natasha Gregory – another long-time member of staff who recently rejoined the agency after leaving during the pandemic – and Burgess's daughter Naomi, who works as an admin assistant while studying at university.

"Our dream team is back together," Burgess said. "That’s another really lovely part of our story."

Travellers World has built a broad client base spanning cruise, long-haul and traditional European beach holidays. "We do a bit of everything," Burgess continued. "We also do luxury and adventure bookings, alongside local coach travel; the list goes on!"

Agency expansion a 'possibility'

The agency has also recently launched a new website, another initiative supported by Hays, as part of efforts to modernise and grow the business.

While immediate expansion is not on the cards, Burgess said owning the property would open up new long-term "possibilities".

"We’ve got a big building on our hands now, so who knows?" she said. "We’d definitely look to grow the business in time, but not just yet, with the world as it is."

For now, the focus is on completing the purchase and celebrating the milestone. "We’ll have a party when we get the keys," she added.