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Former Althams Travel Services MD Eddie Starkie dies
The former managing director of Althams Travel Eddie Starkie has died.
Starkie passed away on October 31 this year, aged 84.
His career at the north-west based travel agency chain - the UK’s oldest still trading on the high street – spanned 60 years.
He started at Althams Travel Services as a junior clerk in 1956, when the Lancashire-based firm had 61 food stores and five travel offices.
Starkie applied for a job in the sector via a notice in a shop window at Althams head office after being advised that his school report meant he had little chance of being particularly successful in his final exams and limited career prospects.
During his long tenure at the Lancashire-based company, he held a variety of roles, including tours manager in 1969 and company travel manager in 1975.
He was promoted to general manager in 1980, becoming managing director three years later. In 1995 he became chairman, a role he relinquished in 1999 to concentrate on his role as MD.
His career and contribution to the travel industry were recognised in 2015 when he received the Outstanding Achievement Award at Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards.
By that time there were 31 Althams Travel branches employing more than 200 staff.
On receipt of the award, he told Travel Weekly: “I got to the top by working hard and with the help of some good staff. I am very surprised, proud and shocked to win. This is an award for the whole team – I couldn’t do it on my own.”
In 2016, he received a 60 years’ service award and left Althams in 2018.
During his career, Starkie also took on jobs outside the sector as a youth worker and magistrate in Burnley.
He leaves wife Barbara, children Andrew, Janet and Catherine as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.
"Dad devoted his entire life to Althams Travel and enjoyed nothing more than looking after the people they employed," said son Andy, who also described his father as a "devoted family man".
His funeral will take place on November 25 at St Cuthbert’s Church in Burnley.
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