Staycation holiday specialist secures multi-million pound equity backing
Caledonian Leisure Ltd has gained a multi-million pound investment from Mobeus Equity Partners, the investors behind the recent IPO of Virgin Wines and the proposed IPO of Parsley Box.
Leeds-based Caledonian Leisure Ltd will offer value short breaks and holidays throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe under the 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.”
Having secured the support, the experienced team behind Caledonian Leisure Ltd is now in the process of launching a programme of coach and self-drive holidays for 2021.
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 Leisure says it expects customers will be able to holiday with the brands from June onwards, or when all Government restrictions are lifted.
The company 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 Mobeus deal team comprised partner Trevor Hope and investment director Greg Blin.
Mobeus was advised by The Firebird Partnership (Commercial), Allen Consulting Limited (Financial), Stuart Lynn Consulting (IT), Neotas (Management) and Marriott Harrison / Fox Williams (Legal).
Caledonian Leisure Ltd was advised by Tim Simpson and Ian Hale of Park Place Corporate Finance LLP and David Strachan and Daniel Bisby of Schofield Sweeney.
