Rowley Regis couple launch travel agency – in middle of pandemic!

A „CRAZY“ Rowley Regis couple have launched their very own journey company – in the midst of a world pandemic.

Mark and Kerrie Oakes determined the time was proper to launch Not Simply Journey after re-evaluating their lives throughout lockdown.

The couple, of Glaslyn Avenue, mentioned they realise many individuals will suppose they’re mad to make the transfer because the journey business has been hit laborious with restrictions and quarantine guidelines having delay many individuals from having fun with international holidays.

However they consider the journey business is about to increase as individuals are itching to get overseas as restrictions carry.

Mark, aged 47, mentioned: „Individuals would possibly say we’re loopy given the truth that we’re not capable of vacation in too many locations proper now however there actually is a pent-up demand in lots of people to journey.

„We’ve been impressed by many on this business who’ve had a troublesome time within the final yr who’ve and are holding on to the considered higher days.

„We’ve carried out nicely by beginning out in reserving holidays to Iceland for this autumn – they’re nicely vaccinated there.“

Mark was director at Halesowen-based Christian charity Christ Formations, for 21 years and had time to mirror on his life throughout lockdown as plenty of his work, which concerned staging occasions, dropped off.

He mentioned: „I discovered myself with plenty of time on my palms. Lockdown taught me in some ways to decelerate.

„Earlier than lockdown I assumed I might work there perpetually, however I focussed on my well being.

„I re-aligned many issues in life beginning with my well being.

„I’ve misplaced virtually six stone in weight having checked out weight-reduction plan and cycled round 2,500 miles in final 12 months!

„I felt extra alive and energised than I had in years I felt it was time to make a change, so we jumped in on the deep finish.

„We took a step out of charity work into our enterprise on the finish of April and are wanting ahead to serving to folks go to locations they wish to go.“

Pictured: Mark earlier than his dramatic weight reduction

The couple, who’re members of Halesowen’s Lifecentral Church, have a son Jacob, aged 20 and daughter Lydia, aged 17, who’s finding out inventive media at Dudley School and helps them with designs for his or her enterprise.

Mark mentioned he loved travelling in his job for the charity, based mostly in Coombs Highway, Halesowen, and would go to Florida round six occasions a yr.

He mentioned: „The journey business has had a mega detox – now piece of thoughts ensures are supplied, there’s plenty of decreased charges round in addition to the pliability to cancel or shift dates to make it extra enticing to folks.“

The agency has an internet site at https://markoakes.notjusttravel.com. Name Mark on 07463 668 573 for particulars.