21 October 2009

A Successful Return To The High Street

Just a year since Weston-super-Mare coach operator Bakers Dolphin opened its first high street shop in more than a decade business is booming.

In the past year the shop in the town’s Sovereign Centre has bucked the recent economic downturn and taken more than £250,000 in bookings.

Bakers Dolphin sales and marketing director Amanda Harrington says having a physical presence in the town centre has made all the difference.

“Taking phone and internet bookings is vital, but the customers love coming into the shop and discussing their holiday plans face to face,” said Amanda.

“We’ve created a link with our customers we have not had for over a decade. Nothing can beat a good old fashioned chat.”

The Sovereign Centre shop marked an important return to the high street for Bakers Dolphin, whose 70 shops across the region were sold off in 1998.

“The presence in the Sovereign Centre also means that we are now part of the whole shopping experience in Weston.

“The shop has contributed to our success dramatically. We have just released our new summer 2010 brochure and within a week our bookings are up compared to this time last year and because of the number of bookings we have had to print more than ever before,” added Amanda.

Bakers Dolphin offers all its coach and travel deals from the shop including theatre trips, short breaks to UK and European destinations, festive and New Year breaks, trips to UK theme parks as well as its full brochure of summer holidays.

The anniversary of the retail shop opening marks an important date in the Bakers Dolphin history, showing the successful return to the high street for one of Weston’s oldest businesses.