The Scottish independent put the proposed Northwich store on hold two years ago due to the pandemic, with the team working from home since March 2020.

The store, Barrhead’s 87th, will finally open its doors on Saturday (2 April). Located in the town’s Barons Quay shopping centre, the 2,000sq/ft unit will also house the company’s second on-site training facility.

It will serve as the regional training hub for the group’s network of 20 English stores, alongside its flagship Glasgow training academy.

Northwich branch manager Sean Buckley, who previously managed the town’s Thomas Cook store, brings 22 years’ travel industry experience to the role and said there was no substitute for face-to-face service.

“Community spirit is strong in Northwich, and I’m excited to work with other local businesses and the shopping centre to help promote shopping local," he said. "We’re particularly excited about supporting our local chosen charity, The Joshua Tree, which is an organisation very close to our hearts.”

Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson added: “The opening of our Northwich store comes at a great time; travel restrictions across the world are continuing to ease, and demand for holidays is soaring. Now, more than ever, people are returning to their local high street agent for advice from real people with real experience.”