One of the directors of Kendal’s new independent high street travel agent has talked about the opening of its new branch in the town.
Craig Travel, which has branches in Workington and Cockermouth, and is part of the north west’s Admiral Travel operation, opened a new high street branch in Kendal on December 12.
The travel agent, which is located on Finkle Street, also operates under the Hays Travel consortium.
Craig Travel Kendal’s December 12 opening was just a ‘soft launch’, according to its director Craig Weatherill.
The business is planning a grander opening ceremony for early in the new year.
However, Mr Weatherill has told The Gazette that the shop is open for business with holidays all over the world already being booked in the new shop since its opening.
Mr Weatherill said: “We’re always trying to serve or look after local towns.
“We always want to be shop-facing – see the customers rather than be a call centre or homeworker.”
Asked about why the business chose Kendal as the location for a new shop, the director said: “It’s a big town and I could see a lot of investment being put into it as well, just from reading the reports.”
Many high street businesses in Kendal have faced difficult economic challenges in 2025 leading to some of them having to sadly close.
But when asked about the potential challenges facing a high street travel agent like Craig Travel heading into 2026, Mr Weatherill noted that if the Kendal branch does as well as the business’s other shops, there’s nothing to worry about.
“If you provide that good customer service, I think word spreads fast that you’re a decent outfit,” said Mr Weatherill.
Mr Weatherill is just one of two directors of Craig Travel - the other being Andy Nelson.
The independent business currently employs five members of staff in its Kendal branch all of whom are local residents.
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