All the latest Shearings news...
Monday, February 4, 2013
Shearings Nominated in the 50+ Awards
Please vote for us in the 50+ Awards 2013
Shearings Holidays is proud to announce that we’ve been nominated in three categories in this year’s 50+ Awards:
• Best 50+ UK holiday provider
• Best 50+ UK hotel group
• Best 50+ UK coach company
Operated by the 50+ Show, these awards celebrate the best products and services for the over-50s, including holidays, charities, media – even ready meals! Voting for is open until 1st June, when the top 3 shortlists will be announced. The awards take place on 11th July 2013.
If you’re a fan of our holidays, we’d love your vote. Simply visit 50plus-Awards.com and follow the on-screen instructions.
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- Awards
Monday, July 9, 2012
Shearings Nominated for 4 British Travel Awards!
Please vote for us in the 2012 British Travel Awards...
Shearings Holidays has been shortlisted for four categories in this year’s British Travel Awards – and we’d love your vote!
If you enjoy our holidays, let the world know by voting for us in the following categories:
1. Best Escorted Tours Operator
2. Best Coach Holiday Tour Operator
3. Best Tour Operator to the Italian Peninsula & Malta
4. Best Leisure Hotel Chain (Coast & Country Hotels)
Voting is easy – simply visit britishtravelawards.com/vote_form and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
And best of all, by voting you’ll be entered into the British Travel Awards’ fantastic prize draw. There are some great prizes to be won, including a 7-night river cruise on the Danube.
Voting closes on 30th September 2012, so don't miss your chance to win – vote for Shearings now!
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- Awards
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Shearings Wins 'Website of the Year'
Success at the Coach Tourism Awards!
Escorted tour specialist Shearings Holidays has beaten off competition from coach operators from across the UK to win a nationally recognised accolade at the Coach Tourism Awards.
Shearings was awarded Coach Operator Website of the Year. The judges stated that the website had a professional appearance and was easy to read and navigate.
Shearings was also a finalist in the Coach Tour Operator Brochure of the Year and Coach Tour Operator of the Year – Large Fleets categories.
The awards, organised by trade magazine Coach Monthly, recognise excellence across coach tour operators, tourist destinations and attractions, and industry suppliers.
Monthly unique visitors to www.shearings.com have increased by 14% in the last year, with bookings up 16% and revenue increased by 20%.
Shearings’ online presence has also been strengthened by increased engagement with customers through the implementation of an on-site review system, allowing customers to rate and review their holidays.
The company has also increased customer engagement by use of social media. Over the past 12 months, the company’s Facebook page has gained 600 fans (from 1,300 to 1,900), while the Twitter account has gained 1,150 followers (from 2,200 to 3,350).
Caroline Brown, Commercial Director of Shearings Holidays, said, “These awards recognise our continued effort to provide excellent communication channels with our customers.
“As more of our customers choose to research and book holidays online, our website is becoming more important and this award recognises the value we attribute to our online presence.
“We were also thrilled to be shortlisted for the Brochure of the Year and the Coach Operator of the Year awards, demonstrating our strong standing in the industry.”
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- Awards
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Shearings enhances Bay Inclusive package
Shearings responds to customer feedback
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our holidays by listening to customer feedback, and in line with our commitment to promoting responsible drinking, we have reviewed and enhanced our Bay Inclusive package.
Bay Inclusive breaks now include four free drinks vouchers per person per day in place of included drinks at the hotel’s bar from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
The vouchers can be used on the same drinks offered in the previous package, including branded beers, wines, spirit and mixer (e.g. a Gordon’s and tonic) and soft drinks. They can also be used on Douwe Egberts coffee and Tetley tea, giving you even more choice.
Best of all, unlike the previous package, the vouchers can be used any time of day and not just in the evening – giving you more flexibility on when you claim your free drinks. It also means that long queues at the bar are less likely to build up. Customers can now treat themselves to a mid-afternoon coffee, a glass of wine before dinner or a nightcap before bedtime.
As evidenced by David Cameron’s speech yesterday (15th February), businesses have a clear duty to promote responsible drinking. We believe that our new Bay Inclusive package does so more effectively than our previous package, which may have encouraged some customers to confine their drinking to a three-hour period each evening.
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- Bay Inclusive
Monday, December 12, 2011
Limited Edition Shearings Model Coach Goes On Sale
Limited Edition Model Coach On Sale Now
Available to buy now for only £24.99, the Original Omnibus Company presents the NEW LIMITED EDITION Shearings Plaxton Panther die-cast model coach OM46112.
Recreated in 1:76 scale (length 160mm), with incredible attention to detail, every model in The Original Omnibus Company includes a numbered Limited Edition certificate.
The history of Shearings can be traced back to 1903, when William Webster established his passenger carrier business in Wigan, later to become Smiths Happiways. The Shearings name dates back to 1919, when Herbert Shearing established the company in Oldham. Smiths Happiways and Shearings were acquired by Associated Leisure, who amalgamated the companies in 1984.
Shearings merged with main rival Wallace Arnold in 2005, seeing National Holidays join the group for a second time. Still based in Wigan over 100 years later, the company is today the UK’s number one tour operator for the over-50s.
Shearings currently operates a fleet of around 275 coaches, including the Plaxton Panthers.
Treat yourself of a loved one to this wonderful piece of transport history. The ideal gift for any coach enthusiast of model collector!
Models can be purchased for £24.99 each
(Postage: 1st class £3.50; Special Delivery £6.75)
Call: 0844 824 6351 to order yours today
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- Limited Edition Model Coach
Friday, November 4, 2011
Shearings win big!
Unprecedented success for Shearings at the 2011 British Travel Awards
We’re proud to announce that we have had a huge success this week at the British Travel Awards, for the fourth year running.
Scooping four Gold and one Silver at the prestigious awards ceremony, Shearings want to say a huge thank you for everyone who voted for us.
Regarded as the “Oscars” of the travel industry, the British Travel Awards are voted for by the people that take our holidays, so winning these awards is quite an accolade.
Gold Awards
UK/ Domestic Holiday Company of the year
Specialist Best Escorted Tours Operator
Best Tour Operator to Central and Northern Europe
Best Independent Tour Operator to The Italian Peninsula & Malta
Silver Awards
Best Coach Holiday Operator
Book your holiday today and find out why Shearings holidays equal award-winning standards.
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- Travel Awards Win
Friday, July 1, 2011
Vote for us!
Vote for Shearings in the 2011 Cruise International Awards!
We’re delighted to announce that Shearings Holidays has been nominated in two categories in this year’s Cruise International Awards which are voted for by you:
- River Cruise Line of the Year
- Best Value Cruise Line
We’re immensely proud of our great value and diverse river cruise programme, and our programme of exclusively-chartered no-fly ocean cruises have received some fantastic praise.
So, if you enjoy our cruises, we’d love it if you’d vote for us. Plus, your entry will be submitted into Cruise International’s draw to win a cruise holiday of your own worth £3,000!
Voting is quick and easy – simply visit http://cruise-international.com/awards/ before 28th August 2011, select 'Shearings Holidays' in the dropdown boxes for each award, and follow the on-screen instructions.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
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- Awards
Friday, November 5, 2010
Three Wins for Shearings!
A successful night for Shearings at this year’s British Travel Awards…
We’re delighted to announce that Shearings Holidays picked up three awards in this year’s BRITISH TRAVEL AWARDS – and it’s all thanks to you!
Regarded as the “Oscars” of the travel industry, the British Travel Awards are voted for by the people that take our holidays, so winning these awards is quite an accolade.
The awards that Shearings won are:
- GOLD – Best UK Escorted Tours Operator
- SILVER – Best Escorted Tours Operator
- SILVER – Best Tour Operator to Central & Northern Europe
This is the third year in a row we’ve been voted winners in this prestigious awards ceremony – everyone at Shearings would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us.
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- Travel Awards Win
Friday, May 14, 2010
Italian Lakes Sale
Shearings Holidays launches All Inclusive Italian Lakes Holiday Sale
Shearings Holidays is offering customers the chance to save up to £165 per person on All Inclusive holidays to Lake Como.
The breaks stay at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior, a welcoming property situated directly across from the lakeside.
Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings Holidays, said: “We’ve been working in partnership with the Hotel Britannia Excelsior for many years, and the hotel is extremely popular with our customers. We’re proud to offer more All Inclusive breaks to this superb property throughout 2010. Lake Como holidays is a favourite with British holidaymakers, and all inclusive holidays provide great value for money, with so much included in the price. They’re especially popular at the moment as everyone’s watching the pennies a little more closely. And with the great savings offered in this sale, there’s never been a better time to discover Lake Como."
Shearings are offering range of holidays, with coach and air options available. Prices start from just £319 per person.
The all inclusive package includes full buffet service breakfast, lunch and dinner; show cooking for lunch and dinner; and free local brand spirits, wines, beers, soft drinks, tea and coffee from 8.30am to midnight.
The 9-day express coach option includes six nights’ all inclusive accommodation, three sightseeing excursions and two nights’ overnight coach travel. Prices start from £319 per person, with savings of up to £100 per person available.
The 10-day coach option includes seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior, two nights’ en route accommodation on a half board basis, two sightseeing excursions and return coach travel. Prices start from £649, with savings of up to £120 available.
The 8-day air option includes seven nights’ all inclusive accommodation at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior, return flights and resort transfers. Prices start from £449 per person, with savings of up to £115 available. A 14-day option is available from £699, with savings of up to £165.
Departures are available from May to October 2010.
For further information, call Shearings Holidays on 0844 209 7143
- Label:
- Holidays to Lake Como
Friday, May 7, 2010
River Cruise Sale
Biggest ever Cruise Sale!
Shearings Holidays has launched its biggest ever cruise sale, offering great deals on three of its award-winning river cruise holidays, as well as a free £50 per person gift voucher with selected ocean cruises.
River cruise departures for May now start from just £499 per person, with savings of up to £430 per person on the brochure prices available.
The company is also offering free coach pick-ups and a free £50 gift voucher to customers booking its British Isles Heritage Trail or North Cape & Spitsbergen ocean cruises.
Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings, said: “Our cruise holiday programme has continued to grow over the last 12 months, and we’re fast becoming renowned for our great value holidays in this ever-growing sector. Our cruises are perfect for customers new to cruising, as well as seasoned cruisers. Customers can travel along some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways on our river cruises, while our ocean cruises offer all the facilities that one expects from a cruise liner but on a smaller scale, with a friendlier, more relaxed atmosphere. What’s more, the fantastic prices offered in this sale make these cruises even more attractive. Places are limited, and we’re sure they’ll be snapped up quickly.”
Shearings river cruises are available by coach, air or rail. Coach departures include return coach travel and 2 nights’ en route half board accommodation, air departures include return flights and resort transfers, and rail departures include a return Eurostar standard ticket from London to Brussels and a standard Thalys ticket to Cologne.
Shearings ocean cruises take place on the mv Discovery, an impressive four-star cruise ship in classic liner style. The cruises featured in the sale depart from Harwich, meaning that customers don’t need to fly to their departure port, allowing a faster start to the cruise.
Included in the price are all meals, Captain’s cocktail party, entertainment, port charges, all on-board gratuities, all on-board service charges, and free car parking at Harwich.
Both ocean cruises on offer also include coach pick ups from over 120 joining points, as well as a free £50 gift voucher per person.
River cruises offered in the sale are:
CLASSIC RHINE CRUISE – from £499, save up to £370 per person The Classic Rhine Cruise takes place on the MV Virginia, offering a quality cruise experience on a more intimate scale. Highlights of the 7-night full board cruise include Cologne, Rudesheim, Koblenz and Boppard. The cruise departs on May 25 (by coach) or May 26 (by air or rail).
RHINE & MOSELLE DISCOVERY – from £569, save up to £430 per person Taking place on the MPS Rotterdam, a stylish, luxurious 4-star ship providing an air of elegance, the Rhine & Moselle Discovery takes in Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, Boppard and Linz. The 7-night full board cruise departs on May 18 (by coach) or May 19 (by air or rail).
MAGIC OF THE MOSELLE VALLEY – for £599, save £400 Also on board the MPS Rotterdam, this 7-night full board cruise includes the chance to sample wonderful wines at Alken, Cochem and Zell, and a visit to Bernkastel’s charming market square. The cruise departs on May 11 (by coach) or May 12 (by air or rail).
Ocean cruises offered in the sale are:
BRITISH ISLES HERITAGE TRAIL – 12 DAYS FROM £999 Highlights of this 11-night full board cruise include the stunning scenery of Giant’s Causeway, cosmopolitan Dublin, the serene Scottish Highlands, bustling Edinburgh and historic Holyroodhouse, beautiful Tresco Abbey Gardens and the cultural city of Liverpool. The cruise departs on 22nd June 2010.
NORTH CAPE & SPITSBERGEN – 15 DAYS FROM £1499 Highlights of this 14-night full board cruise include the ‘Midnight Sun’ phenomenon at the North Cape, the arctic wilderness of Spitsbergen, the rugged beauty of the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø’s Arctic Cathedral, scenic Fläm Railway and the beautiful Norwegian fjords. The cruise departs on 3rd July 2010.
For more information, or to book your cruise holiday, call Shearings Holidays on 0844 209 7143 or visit www.shearings.com
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- River Cruise Sale
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Shearings Sees Surge In Coach Bookings For May Bank Holiday
Surge in Bank Holiday bookings
Shearings Holidays are reporting a surge of bookings for coach holidays for the forthcoming bank holidays.
Shearings Holidays has seen a 55% increase in 5-day breaks departing on the May Day bank holiday, and a 35% increase in 5-day breaks departing on the late-May bank holiday. The company’s 4-day weekend breaks for the May Day weekend have almost sold out. UK & Ireland Holidays Manager, Matthew Herbert, said: “We’re seeing a stronger than expected uptake in holidays across the upcoming bank holiday weekends.
“More and more customers are choosing a UK Coach Holiday, either as a second break to complement their main summer holiday, or to help to save money in the current economic climate. “This increase in bookings strongly suggests that last year’s British holiday boom was more than just a passing fad, and that our customers’ reignited love of UK holidays is set to continue.” Deals departing on the May Day bank holiday Monday include five-day breaks to Braemar, Rothesay and Oban, starting from just £179 per person.
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- May Bank Holiday
Monday, January 1, 0001
Travel Documents
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