Partner Article

Pedal power helps company beat downturn

A North East tour operator has shown it has real pedal power after scooping a national travel award.

Saddle Skedaddle, a cycling holiday provider, was nominated by its customers as one of the top five ‘Best Small Tour Operators’ in the Guardian/Observer Travel Awards 2009. The company has enjoyed a record year despite the economic downturn.

The business received support from Business Link as it prepared itself for the effects of the downturn.

Andrew Straw, sales director at the company, said: “It came as a big shock to many people that there was a downturn looming on the horizon. As a cycling company, exchange rates are of huge consequence to us, so the fact that they were crashing around our feet meant we really needed to take action.

“We took a figurative step back and looked at the whole business, working with our Business Link adviser to develop smarter ways of working that would help us streamline the business.”

The company, which offers cycling breaks in the UK and throughout the world, walking holidays in the North East, as well as long-haul Fair Trade holidays, looked at ways to reduce its outgoings, including improved web capabilities for their site www.skedaddle.co.uk.

Hina Joshi, Business Link adviser, said: “This thoroughly deserved national recognition really does demonstrate how far the business has come, and it is proof that every business, regardless of the economic climate, should be undertaking regular reviews of their practices, to ensure that they are on the right track.

“Andrew and the team at Saddle Skedaddle work incredibly hard. “I look forward to helping them build on their success, and wish them the best of luck for the future.”

For further information about Business Link visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .