Luxury villa brand takes on 200 properties from stricken firm

A Burton-on-Trent holiday company has said it is offering a “lifeline” to those impacted by the closure of James Villas.

Solmar Villas has secured more than 200 of James Villas’ 600 cancelled properties across Europe and is continuing to add more.

It comes after Awaze, the parent firm of James Villas, announced it would be shutting down the villa brand at the end of the year, placing 40 jobs at risk.

Family-run Solmar has more than 1,600 properties based all over Europe and has recently added Florida to its portfolio too.

It has said “it will do everything it can” to support James Villas’ employees who are facing an “uncertain future” as well as helping holidaymakers after bookings from November 30 were cancelled.

Sharon Bradbury, marketing director of Solmar Villas said: “The announcement that James Villas is closing is extremely sad. The company has been part of the UK holiday industry for almost 40 years and this news will have left many holidaymakers’ plans in tatters, especially if flights and car hire have already been arranged.

“We’re delighted to be able to help some of those holidaymakers with their 2024 plans, with Solmar Villas so far securing more than 200 of James Villas’ former properties, with more being added daily.

“We’re able to give those customers hit by cancellations the opportunity to re-book through us on the same dates, keeping their travel plans intact.”