Hays IG agency Global Travel eyes third shop as second branch opens

Independent agency Global Travel has opened its second high street branch and aims to open a third by the end of the year.

The Hays Travel Independence Group member has launched premises in Neston about nine miles south of its first outlet, which opened in West Kirby in 2003.

The agency is also looking to recruit homeworkers and will soon launch a redesigned website.

Co-founder Sarah Meadowcroft said the Neston shop is “key” to engaging clients from the South Wirral and Cheshire areas.

She and her mother began as homeworkers in 2002, selling luxury long-haul travel.

An exclusive Maldives offer proved “extremely popular” and they soon outgrew their home office, so opened a retail store locally in West Kirby.

“Until the pandemic, the business was equally managed by myself and my mother. She suffered from two strokes during the pandemic and received a cancer diagnosis,” said Meadowcroft.

“Overnight, my world fell apart. A key member of staff had just embarked on a year of maternity leave.

“I remember standing in the shop in the busiest December ever (2002) wondering what on earth was I to do.
“I recruited staff, some of whom remain with me to this day. We had an extremely successful 2023, improving again in 2024.

“With a brilliant team now behind me, I decided that this was the perfect time to begin our expansion.”

She said she had been considering Neston for more than 10 years, adding: “It is a beautiful town with a strong community feel, and a similar demographic to West Kirby.”

The two shops now have nine staff members, with Meadowcroft and her daughter overseeing the daily management of the business.

To promote the new shop, she and colleagues introduced themselves to the local community and businesses, inviting people to two opening events, spread over a week-long period.

“I am very aware that first impressions are key; I wanted to make certain that all computers, phone lines, internet and so on were working and that the team were settled and confident, prior to initiating a heavy launch project,” said Meadowcroft, who is also taking part in the Women In Travel Male Allyship initiative.

“People buy people; I believe that an authentic and genuine team are your superpower, and I am lucky to have just that.”

Initial sales and enquiries are proving “very positive”, with several tailor-made and high-end bookings within the first week of trading.

“Our core market has always been luxury, tailor-made and cruising. Our reputation goes before us, and the luxury feel and aesthetic of our new branch reflect our strong, independent-agent values,” she added.

“We are also selling a good number of mainstream package holidays through both easyJet holidays and Tui brands which have actively supported us in our opening weeks.

“I focus on expedition and adventure, and am imparting my expertise on the team to grow that aspect.

“I work closely with the ECN and am a member of the inaugural Clia Expedition Cruise Champion 2025 initiative, so this is another of our USPs.

“Our key USP is five-star service; regardless of whether the client requires a private jet or a weekend in Prague. We appreciate every single client and every single booking made with our company.”

Meadowcroft also paid tribute to Hays Travel Independence Group, describing the group as “extremely supportive of our expansion” under the leadership of owner Dame Irene Hays, chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and Harriet Thompson, head of Hays Travel IG.

“The team are involved, focused and listen to their members. They also make decisions on a more personal level,” she said.

“Dame Irene is well aware of the challenges of operating a small, family business, happily discussing how she and John would make decisions over their kitchen table in the early years.

“Her down-to-earth, considered approach pulsates through the IG brand, and that is precisely what sets them apart.

“And of course, we have our amazing BDM Helen Williamson, who goes above and beyond every day for her members.”

Asked about expansion, she added: “Absolutely; we have a brand new website almost ready to launch; I am actively recruiting for experienced homeworkers offering a very competitive package; and I intend to have store number three open by December 2025.

“After many years of agents taking a back seat to online booking, the pandemic and risk of online fraud have catapulted retail agents to the forefront of the industry. Long may it continue.”

Thompson, head of Hays Travel IG, commented: “We’re delighted to see Global Travel expanding to open its second shop in Neston. Sarah and the team specialise in luxury and expedition travel and it’s wonderful to see their business thriving.

“We have such a diverse range of businesses in the group but each receives bespoke support and guidance from a dedicated business development manager, allowing everyone to flourish and grow at the right pace for them.”

Main picture: Sarah Meadowcroft, second left, with her team at the opening of the Neston store.