Brilliant Travel has signed its largest managed partner agreement to date, with Travel Village Group joining the network from Co-operative Travel consortium.
The agreement brings together one of the UK’s most established family‑run travel businesses with Barrhead Travel Group’s Brilliant division.
Travel Village Group was founded in Blackpool in 1959 and is a fourth‑generation family business operating a portfolio of brands including Travel Village, The Holiday Village, Southampton Cruise Centre and RiverCruising.co.uk.
Travel Village Group CEO Phil Nuttall said: “This partnership marks a really exciting milestone for us and an important next step for the business.
“We have enjoyed a positive relationship with the Co-operative Travel Consortium and are grateful for the support we have received. This move is about looking forward and making sure we have the right platform, tools and partnerships in place to build tomorrow’s travel business.
“We’re delighted to be starting this next chapter with Brilliant Travel. From the outset, we’ve received such a warm welcome and been impressed by the scale, support and values of both Brilliant Travel and Barrhead Travel Group. There’s a strong sense of shared ambition and energy about what lies ahead, and we’re excited to build something special together.
“This is not about changing who we are. It is about strengthening what we already do well. We are proud of our history, proud of our people and incredibly excited about what this partnership will help us build next.”
The Holiday Village Managing Director Paula Nuttall said: “Our business owners are at the heart of this decision. We want them to feel supported, confident and excited about the future. We have listened to them and this move ticks all the boxes that will allow them to compete, grow and deliver even more for their customers.”
Barrhead Travel Group Managing Director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell said: “I speak for everyone at Brilliant Travel and Barrhead Travel when I say how delighted we are to welcome Travel Village Group into the Brilliant Travel family.
“I’ve known Phil and Paula for many years and have always admired their family ethos and values. This partnership feels like a very natural fit. There is a real buzz on both sides, and we’re genuinely excited about what we can achieve together, combining their strong heritage with our experience in supporting independent businesses to thrive.”
A Co-op Travel spokesperson said: “Travel Village has been part of our consortium since 2014, and while we’re sad to see Phil and the team go, we look forward to continuing to work closely with them for the remainder of their time with us and wish them every success for the future.
“Having recently become part of the OurCoop family of businesses, the largest independent co-operative in the UK, we’re excited about the opportunities for our consortium members now and in the future.
“Our consortium members are a valued part of our Travel business, and we continue to work closely with them to support the growth of their businesses. As part of this, we have been holding round tables across the country to continue to deepen the collaboration with our members and discussing how to drive future growth together, particularly given the challenges we are all currently facing.”
Pictured from left: Barrhead President Jacqueline Dobson; Nicki Tempest-Mitchell; Phil Nuttall; Paul Nuttall; Brilliant Travel Director Linda Pyle; and Barrhead Operations Director Julie Taylor
