Paul McLeod, a former self-employed contractor, and Kelly Hall, a former Tui agent, who has also worked as a dog groomer and carer, opened MBK Travels last week in the Leicestershire town of Coalville.

In doing so, they have become the first franchisees of The Travel Franchise Company to make the jump onto the high street.

McLeod told TTG everyone was “so happy and excited” following the store’s opening, with customers praising the couple for restoring a sense of community in the town.

“Myself and Kelly dreamt of bringing back the trust in the community by helping every type of customer to drop by and visit us in our travel store,” McLeod, who has been with Hall for more than 20 years, said. 

Joanne Aldrige, The Holiday Franchise Company head of franchise, added that MBK Travels’ launch was testament to the “passion and dedication of our head office team and the bright future we envisage with our franchisees".

It comes after the company announced in June the creation of a partnership hub to strengthen relationships with suppliers.