Tag: business

Swindon Travel Hub Brings Cruise & Holiday Show to the County Ground

Holidaymakers from across Swindon & Wiltshire are being invited to attend one of the region’s newest travel events this summer as Swindon Travel Hub hosts its inaugural Cruise & Holiday Show at the County Ground on Sunday 5th July 2026…..

Taking place in the Legends Lounge at Swindon Town Football Club’s County Ground, the free-to-attend event will bring together some of the world’s leading cruise lines, tour operators and holiday brands under one roof, giving visitors the opportunity to discover new destinations, access exclusive offers and speak directly with travel experts.

The event will feature representatives from a wide range of holiday companies, including ocean and river cruise operators, escorted touring specialists, family holiday providers and luxury travel brands. Visitors will be able to attend presentations throughout the day, gather inspiration for future trips and take advantage of special event-only promotions.

Shaun Jones, Co-Founder of Swindon Travel Hub, said: “Since opening our doors in Old Town, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support from customers across Swindon and beyond. The Cruise & Holiday Show is our way of bringing the travel industry directly to local people, allowing them to meet the experts behind the brands, ask questions and discover destinations they may never have previously considered.

Whether someone is looking for a luxury cruise, a family holiday, an escorted tour, a city break or simply some inspiration for their next adventure, there will be something for everyone. We’re delighted to be hosting the event at the iconic County Ground and look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region.”

The show is expected to attract hundreds of visitors and follows a period of rapid growth for Swindon Travel Hub, which has become one of the area’s fastest-growing independent travel agencies since opening in 2024. The business now operates from stores in both Swindon and Cirencester and has built a reputation for personalised service and specialist cruise expertise.

Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to register in advance to secure their place and receive updates on exhibitors and presentations.

Further information and free registration can be found at: Swindon Travel Hub Cruise & Holiday Show

Event Details

What: Swindon Travel Hub Cruise & Holiday Show
When: Sunday 5th July 2026
Where: County Ground, Swindon
Admission: Free Entry
Registration: Recommended in advance

Cruise Lines

  • MSC Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Ambassador Cruise Line
  • Silversea Cruises

Tour Operators & Holiday Specialists

  • Newmarket Holidays
  • Wendy Wu Tours
  • Riviera Travel 
  • Typically Holidays
  • Anzcro
  • Red Sea Holidays

With more suppliers still to confirm.

Special Features

  • Destination presentations throughout the day
  • Exclusive show-only offers
  • Prize draws and giveaways
  • Opportunities to speak directly with travel experts
  • Cruise, touring, family holiday and luxury travel inspiration all under one roof

Wiltshire Business Community Benefit from Free Support

The “Business Fit For Future” programme has launched with startups across Wiltshire seizing the opportunity to participate in free online business planning workshops. This initiative aims to support the local economy by providing essential resources and knowledge to early-stage business owners, helping them future-proof their offering.

The programme has already attracted a variety of businesses, including a rural marketing agency, a cosmetics business, a rural café, and a social enterprise supporting older gentlemen in building peer networks.

Online sessions are being delivered by lead programme partners the University of Bath alongside techSPARK Swindon and Wiltshire. The workshops focus on foundational business principles, offering aspiring and established business owners alike the tools to build and refine their business plans.

Andrea Kelly, from the University of Bath Innovation Centre, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, stating, “It’s exciting to see these workshops get underway. At the University of Bath, we want to support businesses in the region through access to expertise, innovation, and funding, and our partnership with techSPARK and The Future Smiths does just that. We would encourage all aspiring business owners or those considering self-employment to explore the options available to them and make the most of the expertise on offer that will help see their dream become a reality.”

In-person programmes will kick off in Chippenham and Salisbury in October and will run for eight weeks, before moving to Devizes and then Holt. The Future Smiths will be delivering these, and topics covered will include business fundamentals from creating a solid business plan, financial confidence to understanding market dynamics.

All workshops are fully funded by Wiltshire Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.

Aspiring entrepreneurs and local business owners are encouraged to take up the opportunity to enhance their business acumen, ensure success and network with like-minded individuals. To register interest in the upcoming workshops, visit https://www.thefuturesmiths.co.uk/startup

The Future Smiths: Inspiring Entrepreneurs and Igniting Innovation in Swindon & Wiltshire

The Future Smiths, a new community-driven organisation set up to advance entrepreneurship and innovation, is proud to announce an exciting initiative aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners in our region….

“Future Forge” Business Growth Programme – January 9th to March 6th

The Future Smiths are inviting applications for their highly anticipated “Future Forge” business growth programme, which will run from January 9th 2024 to March 6th 2024. This comprehensive programme is designed to offer entrepreneurs and small business owners, offering them the tools, knowledge, and connections to unlock their full potential.

Duncan Robinson and Simone Ward-Baptiste, Co-Founders of The Future Smiths, bring a wealth of expertise to the programme. Their leadership ensures that those one the programme will receive mentorship and insights from individuals who have been at the forefront of innovation and business development in the region.

“As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the challenges and opportunities that come with building and scaling a business,” said Simone Ward-Baptiste, Co-Founder of The Future Smiths. “We are dedicated to supporting local businesses and creating an ecosystem where collaboration and innovation thrive.”

The Future Forge programme is tailored for startups, early-stage businesses, small business owners, and ambitious individuals eager to make a significant impact in their respective industries. Participants can expect a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics such as brand strategy, marketing, and financial management, providing them with actionable insights and practical tools.

“At The Future Smiths, we believe in the power of community, collaboration, and innovation,” said Duncan: “The Future Forge programme reflects our commitment to providing entrepreneurs in the area with the resources they need to thrive.”

To learn more about The Future Smiths, register for networking events, and apply for the “Future Forge” programme, visit www.thefuturesmiths.co.uk/ .Limited spaces are available, so interested individuals are encouraged to apply early.

Trending…..

McDonalds Coming to Devizes?!

Okay, it was the April Fools joke I broke the Internet with in 2021, but it’s not the 1st of April today….. Bishop’s Cannings Parish…

Using Fulltone as a Proper Noun

To most, “full” and “tone” are two separate words, but around here it’s been a portmanteau and a proper noun since 2019, conveying a unique…

Crusader Vouchers to the Rescue!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, just shopping I’m afraid, but a marvellous idea to help small businesses locally!

With a striking superhero comic-book themed corporate identity, a small group of marketing agents from Westbury have donned cloaks and set up a voucher system in support of our local high streets.

Claire Rowlands runs Fundraising in the Community, a local company dedicated to supporting businesses in Wiltshire, whilst helping schools, groups, charities and organisations raise funds. They plan to launch Crusader Vouchers as a subsidiary to FITC Media. As it sounds, it’s a voucher-based concept akin to the website Groupon, but for local small businesses, the ones hit hardest by the lockdown.

Fundraising in the Community is a quality, professional service that offers a unique platform with a tailored audience to help drive prospective new business through the doors of local companies; whilst helping schools, charities, clubs and organisations within the community fundraise for their good causes.

Their voucher idea launches this October, and asks you to “put on your mask, grab your vouchers, support local businesses and bag yourself the best deals in town!” They have a website, but the majority of action is via Facebook, so like their page, where you’ll be able to access monthly vouchers for independent shops and small businesses throughout the South West.

These crusaders of independent shopping say, “the offers that we provide are free for everyone to enjoy, no catches, just straight forward vouchers to take advantage of each month for local small businesses and independent businesses. Due to Covid-19 our businesses need us more than ever so we’re appealing to you to put your mask on, grab your vouchers, buy local and bag yourself the best deals in town!”

Since the successful IndieDay in Devizes, I’ve noticed many similar schemes in local towns but here’s something truly original but like any new scheme, it’ll only work if people get behind it. So please do, everyone loves a voucher!