ONE of Nottingham's oldest firms appears on TV tonight as part of a programme which tried to give businesses a new lease of life.
Skills Holidays, which has its headquarters in Bulwell, will star in Channel 4's Britain's Secret Shoppers, presented by business expert Justin Preston who turns shy shoppers into bargain-hunters and gives firms advice on offering deals, increasing profits and attracting more customers.
Skills, which began operating nearly a century ago, has been struggling to attract younger customers over recent years and due to a lack of demand has had to cancel 44 per cent of a sample of 1,156 trips. Turnover has also gone down by a third in three years.
During the programme, in which Skills is observed by Justin as an undercover customer, one of the managing directors of the company Nigel Skill said appealing to the younger market was the biggest obstacle.
Nigel, who is in the driving seat of the business alongside brother Simon, said: "We are finding it very tough and attracting new customers is a real challenge for us."
But since filming the programme the company has seen business pick up after putting some of Justin's tips into practice.
The programme sees Justin criticising one of Skills' coach trips to the Pennines.
He said: "There was not enough information, nothing to keep me entertained and nothing to make me want to spend my money. It is not going to attract young people."
Justin also goes to Skills' travel agents in the city centre and speaks to staff about attracting new customers.
After listening to the views of a focus group, the company is encouraged to put on a tour aimed at young women. The shopping trip to Leeds, at £35 a head, including lunch and spa treatments, would still make £10 a head profit for Skills.
Nigel said the focus group was very beneficial.
He said: "Hearing their views taught me a huge lesson. The idea of a girls' day out is a good way of thinking.
"I believe the show will demonstrate Skills is a vibrant family business that is open to new ideas moving towards our 95th year."
Skills Holidays will feature tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.
