The store’s senior manager, Katie Murray, told TTG she was sad to see Baxter go but understood why the soon-to-be 65-year-old had decided it was time to hang up the travel agent hat.
“Sheila has worked with us for a long time and she’s got a wealth of experience and knowledge; she’s been a real asset in many ways, with customers and colleagues alike,” she said. “But we’re also very pleased for her new chapter and all the adventures she’ll be able to embark on alongside her husband.”
Baxter kickstarted her travel career in 1987 as a travel consultant with AT Mays, before moving onto Thomas Cook, where she worked for more than three decades.
When the group collapsed in September 2019, Baxter was one of the thousands of employees who had to look for another employment. Thankfully, she reached out to Leanne Miller, Cumbria Travel’s co-owner and her former manager at Thomas Cook, who welcomed her to the company.
“The last six years working at Cumbria travel have been amazing, especially because of all of my amazing customers and colleagues,” Baxter added.
Customers and old colleagues were among the many people who celebrated the travel agent over the weekend, with many stopping by the Whitehaven shop to thank her for all the years of hard work.
Celebrations started on Friday (30 May) with office drinks, then continued on Saturday (31 May) before a big farewell party on Sunday (1 June) at a tapas restaurant on the edge of the Lake District.
“We’ve got a bus taking everyone to the venue,” Murray explained. “Everyone is really making an effort to give Sheila a really good send off, celebrating her retirement with her.”
When asked about what’s next, Baxter told TTG she would take the time to travel the world with her husband of 42 years, starting with a Maple Leaf road trip tour. “I’ve worked for a long time, since I was 16,” she concluded. “So it’s time to just do some more travelling on my own.”
