The Midcounties Co-operative’s travel agency in Thame, Oxfordshire, will re-open in a new location and with a fresh, modern look on 12 April, following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Formerly called “Co-operative Travel”, and located at 6a High Street, the branch has moved to 5 Buttermarket in Thame and has been re-branded “Your Co-op Travel”.
Your Co-op Travel will breathe new life into the elegant, Buttermarket building, which is grade II listed, and dates to the 18th century. The building was standing empty until Your Co-op Travel moved in, but has housed a delicatessen and a flowers & gift shop called Ruby Moon in the recent past.
The Midcounties Co-operative will re-open all 78 of its high street travel agency branches on 12 April, including five in Oxfordshire.
Natalie Turner, Head of Retail for Your Co-op Travel, said: “We’re hugely excited to be re-opening our branches on 12 April and are especially pleased to be able to showcase the new “Your Co-op Travel” name, look and feel at our Thame store. We can’t wait to welcome customers back into the branches and to be able to offer them that all-important, personal contact with a travel expert again.”
Your Co-op Travel offers one of the widest selections of holidays on the high street. The established travel agency business is not tied to any particular tour operator or service provider, which means customers are always offered the best holiday deal for them, as well as truly independent travel advice.
“It’s a confusing time for holidaymakers, right now,” continued Turner, “and that’s why it’s never been more important to book with an experienced and trusted travel agent. For customers’ peace of mind, we are offering flexible payment options, free child places as well as free changes and cancellations, low deposits and cash refunds within 10 days, as part of the Co-op Holidays Promise*.”
Whilst the Thame branch features the new “Your Co-op Travel” signage on its fascia, customers of the Carterton (Black Bourton Rd), Chipping Norton (4 High St), Headington (Holyoake Hall), and Kidlington (inside the Your Co-op Food store, 27 High St) branches won’t see an immediate change to the “Co-operative Travel” signage on the shop fronts. However, over time, they will be re-branded “Your Co-op Travel”.
“As one of the UK’s largest independent consumer co-operative societies, we’re fully owned by our members and the new “Your Co-op” name really reflects that idea of belonging to the members,” said Turner.
“Our purpose is to serve our members and our success is down to building great connections with our customers, member-owners and the communities in which we operate. Our members have a direct say in the decisions we make, whether that is shaping our long-term business strategy or choosing how we support their local communities.”
Your Co-op Travel has also refreshed its cooptravel.co.uk website for holidaymakers who want to browse offers, find inspiration and book online. Enhancements include the addition of a Covid Travel Service section to give our customers confidence and guidance when they book, and a refresh of the website’s search function.
The cooptravel.co.uk website’s new Covid Travel Service section features information on testing, the latest updates from the FCDO, a guide to what to expect when you travel, an extensive frequently asked questions page and the all-important travel checklist.
For more information on Your Co-op Travel, please go to www.cooptravel.co.uk, call 01922 908 389 or visit your local branch.
