G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Families across Swindon have been left financially burdened and emotionally drained after the sudden closure of Windmill Travel Club, a long-standing provider of coach trips. Among them is the Mead family, who had eagerly anticipated a Disneyland Paris getaway, only to face heartbreak when their £3,175 trip was canceled just two weeks before departure.
Alan Mead, 67, who retired two years ago, paid upfront for the family trip, including his three grandchildren, by bank transfer. The cancellation, attributed to insufficient bookings, offered the option of rebooking or a refund. Opting for the latter, the family has since been met with silence and mounting frustration, as promises of repayment from the club’s owner, Tony Hughes, remain unfulfilled. For Alan and his wife Debbie, the ordeal has led to sleepless nights and anxiety as they navigate the lengthy process of trying to reclaim their hard-earned money.
The Meads are not alone. More than 25 people have reportedly paid a collective £20,000 for trips with Windmill Travel Club, all of which have been canceled. Many, like Alan, paid via bank transfer, leaving them with limited options for reimbursement. Consumer experts caution that such payment methods lack the protections offered by credit card transactions, compounding the difficulties for affected families.
June and Michael Groom, regular travelers with Windmill, had booked a trip to Germany to visit Christmas markets. After multiple postponements, they eventually requested a refund, only to find themselves still waiting. Like others, they face the grim reality that their £1,350 may never be returned. Michael described witnessing other hopeful travelers waiting for coaches that never arrived, underscoring the widespread distress caused by the cancellations.
The situation has drawn the attention of Swindon Trading Standards, which has launched an investigation. While officials have declined to comment further, the pressure is mounting on Tony Hughes, who cited a combination of rising operational costs and personal health issues as reasons for ceasing operations. On the club’s website, Hughes promised to address refunds but warned customers of potential delays.
Sue Rowell, another long-time customer, praised Hughes for creating memorable experiences in the past but expressed disappointment over recent cancellations. Her three trips, totaling £900, remain unpaid, and the lack of communication has left her feeling let down. Like many others, she yearns for clear answers and resolution.
Consumer advocates emphasize the importance of verifying financial protections when booking trips and recommend using credit cards for added security. The unfolding crisis at Windmill Travel Club serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities customers face in the absence of robust safeguards.
For families like the Meads, the dream of a cherished holiday has turned into a prolonged nightmare. As they await refunds, the emotional toll continues to mount, with many resigned to the possibility of never recovering their losses. The situation has highlighted the urgent need for increased consumer awareness and regulatory oversight in the travel industry.
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