The team behind staycation specialist Caledonian Leisure says it will be launching a programme of coach and self-drive holidays for 2021, having secured a multi-million-pound investment from Mobeus Equity Partners.
Caledonian Leisure Ltd is a new holiday company offering short breaks and holidays throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe under its brands Caledonian Travel and UKBreakaways.com.
Greg Blin, Investment Director at Mobeus, said: “Mobeus is backing an extremely passionate management team which has decades of experience in delivering UK-based, value short breaks to hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers. With the pandemic opening customers’ eyes to the enduring appeal of a UK staycation, we believe the business is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the spike in demand as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased and thrive thereafter.”
Graham Rogers, Managing Director at Caledonian Leisure Ltd, said: “It was always our absolute priority to find the right kind of partner for the business and we are delighted to welcome Mobeus on board. From the outset the whole Mobeus team bought into our vision for Caledonian Leisure Ltd, and we look forward to working together to implement our strategy.”
From seaside getaways and city breaks to family attractions and sporting events, Caledonian Travel will offer a broad choice of coach breaks while UKBreakaways.com will allow customers to enjoy the freedom to make their own way by car or train.
Caledonian Travel will offer departure points throughout Scotland as well as Tyneside, Teesside, East & West Yorkshire. The company said that it expects customers will be able to holiday with the brands from June onwards, or when all Government restrictions are lifted.
In line with its growth plans, the management team has been working to secure tickets to some of the biggest and best events; build partnerships with great hotels; develop its websites, digital campaigns and brochures; and create an independent Trust Fund in the pursuit of industry-leading protection for customers’ money.
Caledonian Leisure Ltd is headed by Non-Executive Chairman Gary Speakman as well as Managing Director Graham Rogers and Commercial Director Martin Lock. Product Director Carl Brackenbury, Finance Director David McDonald and IT & Digital Director Mark Williams comprise the remaining founding shareholders.
The company said its team’s business strategy to grow the Caledonian Travel and UKBreakaways.com brands, combined with their experience in UK short breaks, were key factors in securing the funding.
Ahead of its imminent launch, the new company is keen to establish relationships with agents and partners in the trade looking to benefit from the opportunities created by the new business. Graham added: “The management team at Caledonian Leisure has always recognised the value of developing close working relationships with agents and partners, whose product knowledge and customer service is irreplaceable. We are particularly keen to re-establish relationships with agents that have previously worked closely with the Caledonian Leisure management team.”
