News

Well-known agent John Plank dies aged 89

Well-known travel agent John Plank has died at the age of 89.

He was involved in the travel trade for almost six decades, starting John Plank Travel in 1969.

The business grew to six branches in Dorset in its peak after Plank started working for Thomas Cook in Bournemouth. He was also the youngest manager in the country for Allens Travel.

He sold John Plank Travel in 1990 and was taken on by Bath Travel chairman Peter Bath to head a new business travel division.

Plank finally retired in 2009.

He died on Tuesday at his home in Ringwood, Hampshire, after a short illness.

Industry tributes were led by former Bath Travel branch manager Jim Clarke on Facebook.

The funeral is on January 30 at the Harbour View Burial Ground in Lychett Minster in Dorset with donations to the British Heart Foundation or Dementia Awareness UK.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.