Deben Travel says £80,000 shop move will give staff 'better quality of life'
Harry KembleDeben Travel will relocate to new premises in the Suffolk town of Woodbridge next week after 12 years at its existing site to ensure staff have “a better quality of life” at work.
Owner Lee Hunt signed the lease on the new shop in Whisstocks Place, Tide Mill Way, in December, which is around a five-minute walk from the current site.
Hunt told TTG he has spent around £80,000 on the new shop – buying new desks, brochure racks, two business-class aircraft seats for the waiting area and a ship’s telegraph pole, while local artist Stephen Watkins has painted the cityscapes on the agency’s walls. The new shop will open its doors next week on Tuesday 4 June.
Deben has also commissioned a videographer to produce a short film outlining the route from The Thoroughfare to Whisstocks Place to show customers how close the old premises are to the new one.
The video has been posted on Deben Travel’s social media platforms, including its Instagram.
“Our last day in The Thoroughfare in Woodbridge is on Thursday (30 May),” Hunt said. “It’s around a five-minute walk to our new office which is in a business park off the high street.
“It’s important for us to have a high street presence, but we do not need to be in the middle of it all anymore. We will get some footfall in the new place.”
Asked why Deben Travel is moving premises, Hunt said: “We’re successful right now, but we know we can afford to lose a percentage of our business for a better quality of life. We’re currently in a relatively small unit and we’re busy every day from 9am to 5.30pm.
“When we’re busy quite often there are not enough seats to go around. The new office will offer customers a better experience. We’re not concerned about moving off the high street. We may lose some business, but we will not lose a lot.”
Hunt highlighted how travel concierge Karin Henry is currently being approached by customers thinking she is part of the sales team.
“At the moment, we’ve got four desks,” said Hunt. “One of those desks is occupied by Karin, but in the new shop, she will have her own office. It means people will stop approaching her in the middle of the shop floor.”
He added: “We don’t want to lose customers because they don’t have anywhere to sit and we don’t want to rush any bookings.”
The current team of five staff, including Hunt, is set to expand to six when travel consultant Emily Nunn joins the agency on 7 June. Nunn’s appointment comes as the agency prepares to switch to an appointments-based business model.
Hunt added: “Customers will be able to book appointments on the Deben Travel website so that they can be served at any time that suits them.”
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
