Have you ever wondered our history in the travel market?
We are a small family business and currently have 3 generations of our family working hard to make travel to and from events, firmly part of your event experience.
Pre the launch of our Seagull Travel brand in 2010, the Gallis family ran an excursions business in Worthing since the 1980's and with BHAFC playing at the Withdean Stadium, Keith (Dad) was tasked with using his coach supplier connections to run supporter coaches to significant #BHAFC FA Cup away matches and most notably, the Play Off Final in Cardiff in 2004
Successfully delivering a travel service led to a conversion between Keith and Martin Perry (BHAFC CEO at the time) about the potential of travel to a new BHAFC stadium.
Back in 2010, we are unsure whether we had a market within the Seagulls fan base for our coach/bus travel service - we worked hard, very hard to develop relationships with fans, the Club and coach suppliers. Many hours were sent by Keith in the temporary cabin in the shadows of the Amex being built, talking to fans following their decision to purchase a stadium seat. The Club actively sought Sustainable Travel Options, we were proud to be one!
Interest grew, the word got out and we started to launch our (old) website to create a landing page for info. We quickly created a Facebook page and the Club started to communicate how fans could get to the stadium.
In the early days, in our old Lancing shop - I recall the happiness Dad (Keith) and I showed when the first passenger cheque landed on the doormat.
Immediately, we realised our old way of taking orders was not fit for purpose. We would manually take orders over the phone, by cheque or cash and print off a confirmation sheet. We would then manually create the coach/bus list. There was very little use of email and the postage for sending confirmations was very time consuming.
But, we ploughed on and the Pre Season friendly (test event) vs Spurs in 2011 was our first test of the process. It went well!
The first match vs Doncaster in 2011 was the first competitive match which saw us pull up our big boy pants and say, we MUST deliver! And we did - thankfully
In 2012, we won our first award being ‘Best Start Up’ business in the Adur and Worthing Business Awards 🏆
The service grew very quickly - we had to keep pace by adding extra capacity, new pick up locations which then made us consider a new website which would allow for online bookings! This new booking system was soon implemented.
In 2013, we started our Twitter (X) account with it's primarily aim of providing match day travel updates.
The 2014/15 saw us become ‘Official Travel Partner’ for Brighton And Hove Albion Football Club for the first time, a title which means so much to us (watch out for a new BHAFC Blog coming soon)
2015 saw us win another Adur and Worthing business award being the Customer Services award 🏆
Boxing Day 2021 saw our travel service tested to the extreme due to no trains running. This saw us extend our service to Brentford FC supporters visiting Brighton. This is another example of adjusting our travel offerings to meet demand.
For the past 10 years the business has successfully navigated Covid (no mean feet), has sadly seen some passengers pass away and we have completed a few shop moves in-between. But, the important thing is that we have built up a loyal passenger which we are immensely grateful for.
In addition, we have had a European Tour which included a trip to Amsterdam.
We continue to make charitable donations, as our community is important to us.
Demand for our travel service now sees us partnering with some of the biggest coach suppliers in the UK. Slightly surreal that National Express recently asked us to provide a case study for them 😊 We are also featured amongst Global brands
2025 has already seen very high Travel Season Ticket renewals for the 25/26 season following our price freeze offer, a rebranding of our Event Travel Hub brand to include our new Excursions product and the opening of our new shop at 80 Broadwater Street West, Worthing, BN14 9DE
Our Trustpilot reviews continue to demonstrate our service in a way it was intended. We commonly see reviews containing the words reliable, dependable, community feel on board coaches, suitable for lone female passengers and key to allowing fans to get to matches amongst other things.
Thank you for being part of our journey
1979 boarding the Seagulls Special from Brighton to Newcastle (me at the front, my Dad behind and my Grandad behind my Dad)
Darren Gallis
Director
Great read Darren, I used to live next door to you in Lancing, I babysat yiu for your folks every Sunday evening... I must have been in that picture of the Newcastle trip, I travelled with you lot, your Dad got me the ticket....he getting me a job selling draw tickets in the North Stand at the Goldstone, is properly responsible for my continued support if this great club.
Great service. The return journey is of added importance to us more mature ( old) customers. To come out of the stadium on a cold January afternoon or evening and know there is a warm coach waiting just a few steps away is a bonus. No waiting around for trains or P&R buses. What a shame the club decided to stop the subsidy for Seagull Travel while retaining the free trains and bus travel.
Looking forward to joining the ST17 crew for the 2025/6 season.
Really interesting stuff. I had heard of Seagulls Travel but had no idea of your past.
Great that you've got local roots