Homeworking agency Holiday Hamster plans to open its first shop in the Yorkshire village of Ripponden on Easter Saturday.
The agency will have two staff – husband and wife Martin and Hayley Walker – and launch with a ‘grand opening’ afternoon for the public on March 31, which will include a grand draw with prizes provided by suppliers.
Owner Hayley set up the business with Martin, a travel consultant, working from home in October 2015 as part of the Global Travel Group. Neither had worked in travel before.
The decision to move on to the high street follows the business’ success over the last 18 months.
Martin said: “We have been waiting for the right premises. There is no other travel agent in the village or for a few miles around. We wanted to build on the relationships we have got already in the community and having a shop front gives customers peace of mind and to work with clients face to face is more personal; people buy from people.”
Around 70% of the agency’s sales are to Disney parks and resorts but it sells a broad spectrum of other product.