Hays Travel buys franchise partner Just Go Travel

Hays Travel has acquired franchise partner Just Go Travel, taking on 45 of its 46 shops.

Just Go Travel, which operates as Hays Travel North West, has worked with Hays Travel as both a Hays Travel Independence Group member and franchisee.

It has 46 shops in the northwest and north Wales. There is no threat to any of the 300 jobs affected by the deal.

Owner and managing director Don Bircham has sold all but one of the shops – the first store in Mold, north Wales – to Hays. It will operate under the Hays Travel brand.

Bircham joined Hays Travel as an IG member more than 22 years ago before becoming a franchisee in 2015.

He said: “Although there has to be an element of sadness that my journey has come to an end, it gives me great comfort that all my staff have found a great home with Hays Travel, our partners for over 20 years.

“All 300 jobs are safe and secure, with little disruption to day-to-day activity and better opportunities for career development and progression.

“I pay tribute to Lindsey Barber, our retail director, the senior management team, and all the staff who have delivered underlying profits (EBITDA) of £6 million for the last financial year.

“My thanks to Dame Irene Hays for her support in recent years, and of course to her late husband John. My journey, like so many others in the industry, could not have happened without him.”

Bircham, former chief executive of Wrexham FC, said he intended to take a more active role in his bar and restaurant portfolio and capitalise on tourism opportunities arising from the acquisition of Wrexham FC by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

He added: “I’m not quite ready yet for retirement and I’m delighted that we will retain our very first store in Mold, north Wales, and operate it under the Hays Travel brand.

“I also intend to take a more active role in our bar and restaurant portfolio, as well as developing the inbound tourism opportunity that have grown in Wrexham and north Wales since the involvement of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at my beloved Wrexham FC.”

Hays owner Irene Hays called Just Go Travel an “outstanding business” and said she was “delighted with this latest acquisition”.

She said: “Don Bircham is a true entrepreneur and among the most experienced people in the travel industry.

“Don employs great people who have delivered fantastic results and we look forward to welcoming them to the Hays Travel family.

“This acquisition has come at a perfect time for Hays Travel as we focus on executing our strategic priorities around cruise and experiential travel. I wish Don all the very best success for the future.”