Ten former staff from the collapsed Kent-based agency Baldwins Travel, including Marketing and Commercial Manager Tricia Lester, have joined Ashdown Travel as it plans to open two shops in the county.
Tricia said she was ‘delighted‘ with the move, adding that she was initially approached by the Surrey-based independent agency on LinkedIn.
It is the first time in Ashdown Travel’s 40-year history that it has expanded from its Oxted base. It will open a branch in Tunbridge Wells next month, and take over the former Baldwins’ branch in Sevenoaks shortly after that.
Tricia told Travel Gossip: “Ashdown Travel had been looking to expand for some time, but it hadn’t been quite the right time, and then they saw an opportunity and the chance to move into two new areas.”
Tricia will be based in the Tunbridge Wells branch, but will oversee all three shops. Four former Baldwins’ staff members will join her in Tunbridge Wells, with Clare Meakins as manager.
Another four, led by Hayley Noon, will be based in Sevenoaks, and one will join the Oxted store.
Tricia added: “Ashdown Travel has a very similar fit to Baldwins Travel; we are pitching at a slightly more luxury end now and can bring some new clients to Ashdown.”
“What’s been really great is that the team have had clients reach out on social media to let them know where they are moving to, so now we can do this.”
A spokesperson for Ashdown Travel, which is part of the Advantage Travel Partnership, as was Baldwins, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our presence and investing in high streets at a time when personalised travel expertise is more valued than ever.
“Welcoming Tricia and her talented colleagues to our team strengthens our position as we broaden our reach and reinforce our reputation as a trusted, independent agency for today’s travellers.”
Baldwins Travel was wound up on 9 July.
