Coronavirus Update – 1st July 2020
Following the recent Government announcement regarding the cautious re-opening of the travel and tourism industry, we consider that a safe and calculated return to business is now required and have therefore taken the decision to restart our coach operation from September. Restrictions at some hotels and venues would severely restrict your enjoyment of taking a holiday or day trip whilst they are in the process of the tentative re-opening and adjustment to the new protocols required to keep everyone safe. In addition, we have all seen the TV pictures of crowded beaches and beauty spots in recent weeks and in our opinion these will only continue as more people begin to travel, by September the schools should have returned and hopefully more businesses will get back to normal and we will be able to enjoy some long-awaited excursions and short breaks. Our decision is based upon the best interests and the safety and welfare of our customers and staff.
This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, as our small family run business has not been able to operate in any capacity since the commencement of the UK lockdown in March, causing us a total loss of revenue. We aim to restart only a small tour and day excursion programme from early September. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to ensure your safety whilst travelling with us. Our coach has stood idle since March and during the coming weeks we need to ensure that it is safe and ready for return to service. This includes both an initial safety inspection, MOT, Air-Conditioning Service and the fitment of recently introduced Air Purifying equipment to help eliminate possible virus particles, in addition to hand-sanitizers at the entry point. It does not however require any further polishing!
As many of you are aware of the difficult situation we find ourselves in, we have been issuing Bonded Coach Holiday Scheme (BCH) refund credit notes to those who have not wished to transfer their holiday booking to the rescheduled date or where it has not been possible to reschedule a departure to act as a guarantee of a future holiday or day trip. The main reason we have been doing this, is first and foremost to retain your custom, hoping you will once again enjoy a holiday or outing with us later this year or throughout 2021. Secondly to ensure that we remain in a financially viable situation to continue running our fantastic tour and day excursion programme for many more years to come. We appreciate many of you also find yourselves in a challenging financial situation, therefore should you decide upon receiving your refund credit note, that you no longer wish to travel with us we will provide a full cash refund as soon as we are able.
Whilst we have withstood lockdown please understand that our business, like hundreds of others, is not out of the woods yet. No business can withstand long periods of zero income and just restart operations and continue as though nothing has happened! Now more than ever we need your support and continued loyal custom to survive the coming weeks and months ahead. Within six months we are due to celebrate our 30th Anniversary in business, a milestone which could only be made possible by your past, present and future support – Thank You.
Our Brigg Travel Office will open the telephone line on Thursday 16th July and we will be available at the end of the phone every Thursday and Friday then onwards throughout the remainder of July and August. Please DO NOT visit the office in person during this period, we will once again open our doors to visitors from September onwards. This allows us to keep our staff members on a part-time basis on the government furlough scheme since we have no income or coach operations at present and ensures everyone remains safe.
We will have a selection of day excursions and holidays available from September onwards, we aim initially to add a few simple traditional day outings plus the rescheduled excursions and tours from earlier in the year. Our capacity on the coach will be reduced to ensure everyone remains safe and comfortable, there will be obvious changes including the requirement of face coverings and other hygiene procedures, but we aim to make your return a pleasant experience for everyone. We look forward to welcoming you onboard again soon!
From Kevin & Joanne Radley and Chantelle & Claire in our office.
