County Durham travel agency Seaside Travel is to open its third high street shop in Wingate.
The independent agency, and Hays IG member, is recruiting for four agents to join its team at the new shop in Church Street.
An exact opening date is yet to be confirmed but is expected within the next six weeks.
Its existing shops are in Easington and Sacriston, both in County Durham. The Easington branch, which employs nine, was opened in 2001 and Sacriston, where four agents work, opened in 2016.
Owner Nicola Park said: “I had been thinking about Wingate, which is where I went to school, as a place we could open but it was only when we drove past the shop and saw a for sale sign that I shouted ‘stop’ at my partner. Before I knew it I’d agreed I was going to buy it.”
“I never envisaged all of this, I was actually happy with one shop, but it all took off as we started posting deals on Facebook a few years ago, before everyone started doing that.
“It’s going to be a great little shop, right next to an infant school where I know the head teacher well. Everyone around will be walking right past the window displays.”
Park said hiring local employees was key to the success of the independent agency.
“My staff are brilliant, and they make the business what it is. Everyone knows them, so I’d love to hire people from the villages around the area.”
Park did not rule out further openings in the future but added: “I don’t want it to get so big that we lose that personal touch.”