More French freedom thanks to £600,000 loan
FRENCH Freedom Holidays, the North Lincolnshire based specialist tour operator, is aiming to increase sales in the UK, Irish and Dutch markets following a £600,000 investment from Partnership Investment Finance (PIF).
The investment will ensure Scunthorpe-based French Freedom is able to maximise sales to the Irish market from the existing sales office in Cork, in addition to establishing a sales outlet for the Dutch market.
This in turn will further support and underpin the core sales operation at its head office.
French Freedom Holidays was established in 1996 and specialises in self-drive mobile home and camping holidays to more than 20 four-star locations in France, and is currently one of the largest independent companies of its kind in the UK.
The company offers a fleet of around 500 letting units, the majority of these being new generation cottage style leisure homes.
French Freedom works with all the major ferry companies and uniquely in its market by being fully ABTA and ATOL bonded.
The group also operates a comprehensive ski holiday program under their SkiFrance4less brand featuring all the major French Alps resorts.
Darryl Skelton, managing director of French Freedom Holidays said: “This deal enables us to offer more clients a simple, great value for money family holiday and excellent customer service.
“In 2008, 66% of customers had taken holidays with French Freedom Holidays in previous years.”
He added: “France is still the largest destination for British holidaymakers, with beaches, mountains, countryside, theme parks, cosmopolitan cities and world famous gastronomy – France has something for everyone.
“It is no wonder France welcomes more overseas visitors than any other country in the world.”
Andrew Wright of PIF said: “Demand for this type of cost effective family holiday experience is expected to increase during the current economic uncertainty and holiday prices are often lower than a similar holiday in the UK. We are backing an experienced management team to grow an established brand.”
PIF is an investment fund aimed at supporting growing businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber. Following the successful investment of £37m of funding between 2004 and 2008, PIF now has further funding to invest in businesses in the region’s Objective 2 areas.
