Oakham travel lovers can soon enjoy the re-opening of a popular travel agency in town.

The Co-operative Travel branch, which is inside the Co-operative Food on Burley Road, will re-open on Monday December 28.

Natalie Turner, Head of Branches for Co-operative Travel, said: "Once Christmas is over, thoughts typically turn to holidays, and we're delighted that all our branches will be open by 28 December, to welcome customers safely, and help them plan their well-earned getaway.

"We're already seeing an upturn in holiday bookings, particularly for departures from May 2021 onwards, which we're attributing to the fantastic progress being made on the Covid-19 vaccine, the opening of further travel corridors to some of our favourite long-haul destinations, and the positive developments on the "test to release" quarantine system, all of which have boosted consumer confidence to travel.

"We're seeing growing demand for holidays to long-haul "dream" destinations such as the Maldives and the Caribbean, and a desire for secluded, socially distanced luxury. Many of our customers missed out on their annual getaway in 2020 and, as a result, are eager to book something extra special for 2021."

"Whilst we have remained available to customers via phone, online and social media, when the stores have had to close, nothing beats the reassurance of face-to-face contact with a travel expert. With the confusion around travel corridors, quarantine rules and Covid test requirements, which vary by country, it's never been more important for holidaymakers to book with an experienced and trusted travel agent. Our expert travel consultants are ready to navigate customers through the complexities of the current travel booking process and send them on the holiday of their dreams", continued Turner.

In addition to the branches, Co-operative Travel's virtual call centre is open every Monday - Saturday, handling enquiries and bookings by email ([email protected]), phone (01922 908 389) and via social media (www.facebook.com/cooperativetraveluk).

Co-operative Travel has 78 branches across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Somerset, Wiltshire and Rutland.

For more information on Co-operative Travel, go to www.cooptravel.co.uk.