Co-operatives launch new travel group in UK

A new Co-operative Movement travel group has been launched by Midcounties Society following the decision of the Co-operative Group and Midlands Co-operative to enter into a joint venture arrangement with the Thomas Cook organisation.

Midcounties said that following the demise of the Co-operative Travel Trading Group (CTTG) as a result of last year’s joint venture, the society’s Co-op Travel business “had no alternative but to create a standalone commercial and marketing capacity”.

Midcounties is already in advanced negotiations with to acquire eight outlets from the Co-operative Group/Thomas Cook joint venture. The society is also in talks to acquire a high street chain of travel agencies in southern England.

On the formation of the new travel group, a statement issued by Midcounties said: “In the spirit of the sixth co-operative principle, Midcounties has agreed to make this service available to the Channel Islands Co-operative and Chelmsford Star Co-operative, who have also been affected by the joint venture decision. The partnerships will help them optimise their continued development as prominent independent agents.”

Channel Islands’s Travelmaker is the leading independent in the Channel Islands with two branches in Jersey and one in Guernsey, while Chelmsford operate branches in Chelmsford and Braintree.

Midcounties’ Alistair Rowland, Group General Manager of Travel Services, told the News: “We are delighted to be able to work with Channel Islands Co-operative and Chelmsford Star to ensure they remain leading independent agents and will support them in a number of key areas including commercial, marketing, e-commerce and business development.”

Carl Winn, General Manager for CI Travel, said: “We are extremely pleased to remain part of what is in essence a co-operative consortia. We share Midcounties’ vision and ideas and it seemed the obvious choice since the closure of CTTG was announced last year. We are excited about the future and the opportunities the new venture will bring.”

Barry Wood, Deputy Chief Executive of Chelmsford Star, also expressed his enthusiasm for the new link-up which starts officially at the beginning of April.

He added: “Chelmsford Star is pleased to be joining Midcounties and Channel Islands Co-operative in the spirit of true co-operation to ensure that our members continue to enjoy the benefits of an independent co-operative travel business. We are looking forward to exciting times ahead for our travel business.”