Corrie star Tyrone launches Midcounties’ first travel branch in Shrewsbury
The Midcounties Co-op Travel launched its new concept branch in Shrewsbury in style at the weekend.
Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall who plays Tyrone Dobbs drew the crowds when he officially opened the new venture, the first High Street store to be branded cooptravel.co.uk
The branch at Pride Hill will create up to eight jobs and the concept will also be rolled out with further new branches opening at Nottingham, Derby and Leamington Spa over the next month.
Shrewsbury branch manager Wendy Hudson said: “Our first day was very busy and we were delighted with the positive response from customers. We had fans queuing up to meet Alan and get his autograph and photographs and our opening celebrations also included a free prize draw for the chance to win a holiday and special offers.”
The business is part of community retailer The Midcounties Co-operative, which has a significant presence in Shrewsbury with its food stores and post offices. In addition to a network of 51 travel branches, Midcounties runs an online travel business which has given the new branch its name.
Sue Reid, Group General Manager, Travel Distribution, at Midcounties said: “We are very excited about opening in Shrewsbury in this the International Year of Co-operatives and we wanted to create a real buzz.
“We are a locally owned and independent business with more than 90 years of travel experience. We see the new branch as a great opportunity to serve the local community which is why we have invested here.
“We are looking forward to welcoming local people and members and giving them a wider choice and independent advice when it comes to booking their holidays.”
Midcounties has stated its aim to become the leading independent travel retailer in the UK, with co-operative values at its core. It has embarked on a strategy of rapid growth and has plans to open travel branches around East Midlands Airport and to build on links with Birmingham and Bristol Airports.
