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A BUSINESSMAN could launch a rescue package to save two stricken travel agencies more than a year after he sold them.
Faraway Places (NW) shut their shops in Water Street, Radcliffe, and Prestwich's Longfield Centre without warning on Monday afternoon due to apparent financial difficulties.
Around eight staff have lost their jobs following the shock closure.
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But because the company was linked to the Travel Trust Association, around 700 customers who booked with the company won't lose out. They will either get their holidays or, alternatively, their money returned.
Preston-based Faraway Places acquired the business around 14 months ago after acquiring the firm from previous owners, PR World Travel.
PR, previously operated by directors Peter Hardman and Robert Cox, had been trading for 15 years and had a third shop in Bury's Kay Gardens which closed three years ago.
Directors of Faraway, husband and wife Malcolm and Susan Hordern, were unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, former owner Peter Hardman has disclosed that he could bid to buy back the travel business if it goes up for sale as a going concern. And he revealed that last year, he was aware that Faraway Places were facing difficulties.
"Previously, we'd run PR World Travel for 15 years and it was a very successful business which was built up into a reputable company. We're sad to see that in the 14 months since we sold it, it has not been succeeding." However, Mr Hardman says that although it's early days, the travel agency could revert back to it former owners. "We could put forward a rescue package and this could mean PR trading again," he said.
Meanwhile, both shops in Radcliffe and Prestwich remain closed.
A note on the door of each agency informs visitors that Faraway Places is not trading and advises customers who have made bookings to contact Surrey-based Travel Trust Association (TTA), 0870 889 0577.
Posted by: Lynn Howarth, Prestwich on 5:36pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I was the manager at faraway places Prestwich, and would like to say that myself and my staff had no idea that we where about to close, and I had asked Mr Hordern the week before if everything was alright, as he and his wife had not been in all week. I would like to apolgise to all my customers, for any upset this may have caused them.
I was the manager at faraway places Prestwich, and would like to say that myself and my staff had no idea that we where about to close, and I had asked Mr Hordern the week before if everything was alright, as he and his wife had not been in all week. I would like to apolgise to all my customers, for any upset this may have caused them.
Posted by: samantha livesey staff, pestwich on 5:47pm Thu 17 Jan 08
I was staff member we was just told over the telephone that we was to close the shop imediately. we will not be recieveing any outstanding wages. we have had no further contact with Mr or Mrs Hordern.
sorry to all our customers for the inconvinence this may have caused them.
I was staff member we was just told over the telephone that we was to close the shop imediately. we will not be recieveing any outstanding wages. we have had no further contact with Mr or Mrs Hordern.
sorry to all our customers for the inconvinence this may have caused them.
Posted by: Elliot Moss, Prestwich on 2:00pm Fri 18 Jan 08
When the shop was P.R. World Travel ,I used to be the Manager, what a shame a succesful business has shut down, my heart goes out to the staff, and lets hope a rescue package can be put together for the company and also the dedicated staff [bold]bold[/bold]
When the shop was P.R. World Travel ,I used to be the Manager, what a shame a succesful business has shut down, my heart goes out to the staff, and lets hope a rescue package can be put together for the company and also the dedicated staff
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