A NEW branch of the UK’s self-proclaimed fastest-growing independent travel agency has opened its doors in Oldham creating six new jobs.

The mayor of Oldham, Cllr Ginny Alexander, was on hand to cut the ribbon at the official opening of the new Hays Travel store in Spindles Town Square shopping centre.

Around £75,000 has been spent on transforming the new unit which includes a Bureau de Change.

It is the latest store for Hays Travel North West, which has close to 40 branches across the region and North Wales.

Its newest other branches include openings in Didsbury, Rochdale, Runcorn, Ashton, Macclesfield and Northwich.

Hays Travel Oldham manager Wendy Hastings said opening a new store in the town was special to her because she was born and spent the early part of her childhood in Failsworth.

She added that she had many fond memories of her time as a member of the Bardsley’s Dance Centre in Hollinwood, Oldham, where she learned ballroom and Latin American dance.

Wendy, who now lives in Radcliffe, near Bury, with her partner Andrew and has a step daughter and step grandson, said: “It’s really special for me to be returning to my roots to lead the team at the new Hays Travel in Oldham.

“It has also been a special honour to welcome the mayor here to officially open it for us.

“We have had such a warm welcome from the community and we have already been booking some wonderful holidays for people, including summer sun, a last minute holiday for someone who flew out the day after booking with us and a honeymoon in Turkey for a lovely couple.”

Wendy, 50, who has worked in the travel industry for almost 35 years, added: “Being an independent travel agency means we have access to a wide range of holidays to suit all sorts of budgets and myself and the whole team are looking forward to meeting lots of new people and working hard to find the best holiday which suits them.”

The mayor said: “It’s wonderful to see such a well-respected business as Hays Travel open here with us in Oldham. The team have been extremely welcoming and the store looks very smart and professional after a fantastic refurbishment of the unit.

“Its opening is a very positive development for the town centre and I feel sure they will have lots of support from the community.

“Wendy and her team clearly have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to booking holidays and I think they will be working together to book fantastic holidays for their customers.

“I wish them every success for the future and I am delighted to be the one cutting the ribbon at the official opening for them.”

Also there to celebrate the official opening was Mike Flanagan, Spindles Town Square centre manager, who said: “It’s great news for us to welcome Hays Travel to the shopping centre. They are an extremely well respected and established travel firm who will give our loyal shoppers another great choice when they visit us.

“The store looks fantastic – really modern, bright and airy – so I have no doubt it will be very inviting for customers when they visit to book their holidays with them.

“I know they have had terrific feedback from the community already and feel sure the store will be very successful.”

Hays Travel North West is the main partner of Hays Travel, based in Sunderland, which has a turnover of more than £1billionn and is the UK’s largest independent travel agency. Hays Travel North West has a turnover of more than £70 million and this year, the expanding business is aiming to provide £100 million of holidays.