Top 50 - London - Janaway Travel, Camden

Founded by Geoff Janaway and Harry Arnull in 1960, Janaway Travel began life in Camden High Street and, despite relocating 15 years ago, it still enjoys a prime location just a few minutes’ walk from Camden Town Tube station.

The small but perfectly formed team comprise director John Warrington, director Jane Redmond and secretary Joanne Payne, who have a total of 113 years’ industry experience between them. 

Janaway believes communication is key to excellent customer service and has systems in place to ensure the team are always available for clients.

This might include phone calls out of hours, such as when a family of four in Canada for the Calgary Stampede last year called John after midnight because he’d forgotten to take his driver’s licence with him for the hire car. After hours of negotiating and a very late night, John managed to liaise with the rental car to allow the family to continue their holiday despite the error.

Nothing is too much trouble for “The Three Js”, who set alarms to check clients in, help them complete forms and fill out visas where necessary. Last summer, a family was in a queue at US customs in Nassau when they realised they hadn’t done their Esta forms. John received another late-night plea for help, and managed to complete each family member’s form for them just in the nick of time.

Truly a business of their community, the team’s “faces are very familiar around here” and they enjoy a repeat business rate of 80%. The group are also passionate about greener travel and book domestic and international rail holidays, often curating successful itineraries to France, Italy and Spain by train. 

The team don’t hesitate to support good causes, and partnered with a cafe next door to host a Macmillan coffee morning, raising £650, which Janaway Travel doubled.

janawaytravel.com