Hero of the High Street - The rise of late Sunderland businessman John Hays and his Hays Travel empire

The career of the late John Hays rose from opening his first travel agent’s shop in Seaham to taking over one of the industry’s most legendary names.
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Sales amounted to £812 at the end of his first year in Church Street, Seaham, in 1980.

By 2018, however, turnover had surpassed £1 billion with the Hays Travel portfolio consisting of new headquarters in the centre of Sunderland, 190 branches nationwide and around 2,000 staff.

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The empire expanded again in October 2019 when he and wife Irene, the company’s chairman, saved 2,000 jobs by buying up 555 Thomas Cook High Street branches after its parent group collapsed.

John Hays is all smiles in 2014 when he was pictured with the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards.John Hays is all smiles in 2014 when he was pictured with the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards.
John Hays is all smiles in 2014 when he was pictured with the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards.

Yet chief executive Mr Hays, who has died aged 71 “doing the job he loved”, was typically humble when asked about the deal and keen to share praise with his employees, adding: “Irene and I have been taken aback by the good will and well wishes from the public over the past few days. It really has been humbling.

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“We’re so proud of our wonderful teams, both old and new, who have come together working around the clock to get as many new branches up and running as quickly as possible.”

John Hays, of Hays Travel, outside his first branch, in Church Street, Seaham.John Hays, of Hays Travel, outside his first branch, in Church Street, Seaham.
John Hays, of Hays Travel, outside his first branch, in Church Street, Seaham.

Those established teams seemed pleased with their employer too with the business, a recipient of the prestigious Investors in People gold standard, repeatedly included in the Sunday Times Best Company to Work For list.

Not that the achievements of the Oxford University mathematics’ graduate had gone unnoticed here in Sunderland.

He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Sunderland University and given the Freedom of the City of Sunderland for his contribution to the economy of the city and the growth of the travel industry.

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Mr Hays also received a Lifetime Achievement trophy at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Business Awards in 2014 and returned to our annual awards ceremony in November last year to receive Large Business of the Year and the Overall Business of the Year titles.

John Hays and wife Irene outside the Hays Travel headquarters in Keel Square, Sunderland.John Hays and wife Irene outside the Hays Travel headquarters in Keel Square, Sunderland.
John Hays and wife Irene outside the Hays Travel headquarters in Keel Square, Sunderland.

Again both Mr Hays and his wife, who had enjoyed a stellar career in local government, thanked their staff.

Their generosity even extended to the creation of The Hays Travel Charitable Foundation with more than £1.6m distributed so far to worthy causes nationwide.

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Like countless businesses, however, Hays Travel has faced challenges since the coronavirus outbreak in March this year.

A company statement released after Mr Hays’ death said: “Throughout this past difficult year he did everything in his power to save jobs and protect the travel industry.

“He was held in immense respect by his staff, colleagues, family and friends and was recognised throughout his life for his many achievements.

“He was equally proud of his loyal staff who, under the direction of the board and senior management team, will ensure that the business continues to serve the customers of the UK's largest independent travel agent as he would have wanted.”

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Read more: Hays Travel founder John Hays died “doing the job he loved”

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