A number of independent travel agencies are opting for villages and suburbs with large residential populations, as high street footfall declines and business rates prove unaffordable.
Former Thomas Cook and First Choice agent Paul Brandwood opened his first shop, The Holiday Shack (pictured), in Maindee, just outside of Newport, Wales. Other businesses in the area include a chemist, banks and a beauty salon.
“The main high streets are not as busy these days so I thought let’s take the business to the community instead of them having to come to us. It’s got its own small high street and the surrounding area is all residential, so we have a big catchment area,” he said.
“From doing research, it’s what people are looking for. Parking in the city centre is so expensive.”
In Cambridgeshire, Ponders Travel managing director Clare Dudley opened her first shop, in the village of Over, last week.
Ponders Travel also operates from a large office in Dudley’s garden, while other staff work from home. Ponders also has a room at a local beauty salon, which opens two days a week.
Dudley said a key factor in choosing to open a shop was its proximity to the new town of Northstowe, which will eventually have up to 10,000 homes. About 200 people attended the opening event, including former Wish You Were Here…? presenter John Carter.
“I never dreamed of opening a shop, but an opportunity came up for this premises,” said Dudley.
“Northstowe is going to be the biggest new town in Britain and is being built two miles away, so that will be a big market for us.”
In West Yorkshire, Tivoli Travel director Jo Richards is poised to open her second shop, in the “up and coming” village of Lindley, next month.
A hotel has opened recently and a number of bars and independent businesses operate in the area.
Richards said areas such as Lindley were “crying out” for independent travel agencies.
“The area is similar to Mirfield where my other shop is and it’s got a big outlying area of new-builds, so getting a shop in this region is like gold dust,” she said.