Premier Travel marks its 85th anniversary in style - even if it was a year late

It might have been a year late, but Premier Travel Group made sure it celebrated its 85th anniversary in style.

The privately-owned, independent travel company reached the milestone in 2021, but Covid put paid to its celebrations last year.

However, it held a big summer party earlier this summer to make up for it, bringing together staff, family and friends.

They enjoyed a selection of food trucks and an ice cream van, along with a fully stocked bar and entertainment in the form of a live band, inflatables, a craft area with children’s face painting and sports day-style fun and games for adults and children, which culminated in a tug of war.

Renford Sargent, chairman of the Premier Travel Group, said: “The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for our industry and has resulted in a delay in celebrating this historic landmark, but to come together today in this way, I am proud of what we have achieved and how much we have to celebrate.

“I particularly wanted to thank our key partners who have supported our 85th summer party with their kind generosity, and our staff for all their incredible hard work over the past two years”.

Headline sponsor Thailand Tourism supported the Thai food truck, while Jersey Tourism sponsored the ice creams and a beach area. The event was also supported by Elman Wall, CWL Systems, Incom and Busy Bee Recruitment.

[Read more: Inside Premier Travel’s Google-inspired HQ in Cambourne]

The charity raffle raised £2,126 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Premier’s chosen charity for 2022.

Six holidays were up for grabs, along with more than 40 other prizes ranging from magnums of Champagne to premium event tickets, donated by partners.

Ella Walston, Each’s corporate fundraising assistant for Cambridge and West Essex, said: “Thanks to our friends at Premier for their ongoing support of Each. Their generosity helps us continue supporting children and young people with life-threatening conditions, and their families, in Cambridgeshire and across East Anglia.

“We appreciate it very much. We would also like to congratulate them for reaching such a special anniversary milestone and are delighted to be part of the celebrations.”

The group is made up of two companies: Premier Holidays, a Tour Operator and Premier Travel, a retail travel agent.

Premier Holidays specialises in tailor-made holidays and is the market leader for holidays to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as a specialist on an array of long haul products.

Premier Travel has 25 branches in the south east, including in Cambridge, Cambourne and Ely.