Independent agent Graeme Brett is bringing back the Desks for Reps scheme he introduced during COVID, which provides a list of agencies that can offer a spare desk to Business Development Managers and other suppliers out on the road.
Graeme, Director of Westoe Travel in South Shields, originally started up Desks for Reps in 2021, along with Pole Travel Director Jill Waite, when the pair set up agent campaign group TARGET during the pandemic.
Around 120 agencies took up the appeal to offer a room or spare desk in their branch, office or house, so reps had somewhere to go to catch up with work and emails before making the long drive back home.
Graeme has now reintroduced the scheme and posted on the Travel Gossip Facebook group this week: “A couple of years ago I did a post to provide temporary desks for tour operators’ on the road teams.
“If you can provide a desk or room in your shop/office for tour operators’ BDMs or representatives to catch up on emails and phone calls while on the road and a cuppa, please add your details.”
Graeme told Travel Gossip: “We’re finding there are a lot of new reps and a lot of new agents and I thought it was a good time to bring back Desks for Reps.
“Some of the reps who visit us have travelled 150 miles to get here and they just want somewhere to stay for half an hour and catch up on their emails, with a cup of tea. They can’t get good wi-fi parked up in their car and it’s easier to come in and sit down. It just helps everyone.
“It’s tough on the road. Nearly 40 years ago, I was an insurance salesman and I know what it is like, going all day from here to there.
“A lot of reps have changed companies and previously they may have been covering a smaller area. They just need some time before getting back on the road.
“I’m planning on collating details of all agents who can offer a desk into a list, which I’ll share on the Travel Gossip Facebook group. Some of the reps have said they will share it into their own Facebook and WhatsApp groups too.”
About 20 agents have come forward so far to offer a spare desk, covering much of the UK, including Glasgow, Kent, Chester, Ballymena, the West Midlands, Wales and Northampton.
One agent said: “It’s a great way to share the love,” while another said reps are ‘more than welcome to stop have a cuppa and catch up’. Another said: “We’re always happy to see our lovely suppliers.”
If you can offer a desk, comment on Graeme’s Travel Gossip Facebook post here.
