Kentish Express Ashford & District
Holiday team heads back to the future at new base
The Shortbreaks team at Holiday Extras has moved from its previous base in Newingreen, near Hythe, to Apple Barn on the A20 near Smeeth.
Gerry Pack, founder of Holiday Extras, opened the building alongside his wife Carol by cutting a cake.
Having more than doubled the size of its theatre and theme parks division in four years, Shortbreaks Holiday Extras has outgrown the Royal Oak building at Newingreen and made the move to the renovated Apple Barn, following the completion of a £1m refit.
Simon Hagger, CEO of Shortbreaks Holiday Extras, said: “It’s great to be back at Apple Barn – this was where I started my career at Holiday Extras 18 years ago and I’m delighted to have come full circle with our Shortbreaks team.
“Since starting Shortbreaks 10 years ago we have created over 120 local jobs and our exciting growth plans meant that we had real confidence to expand our operations and take on the extra space at Apple Barn.
“The aim was for the building itself to be an inspiration to everyone working here, encouraging creativity and collaboration. I really feel we have delivered on that vision – Apple Barn now adds to what makes Holiday Extras a unique and exciting place to work.”
The building is kitted out with state-of-the-art technology and features a “heart space” – an informal area for meetings, socialising and getting teams working together on projects.
Holiday Extras was originally based at Apple Barn and moved 12 years ago to The Wave at Newingreen while the building was let to a third party.
The company has been listed nine times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and is listed number five in 2015.
‘The aim was for the building itself to be an inspiration to everyone working here’