Suffolk agency on the move under new name

The newly-designed Co-operative Travel shop will move from the Beales department store into the former Morlings music shop building on New Market on 2 November.

The Beccles shop was one of 16 Central England Co-operative travel branches that transferred to Midcounties, along with the staff who worked in them. Midcounties now has 78 travel branches across the UK.

The five colleagues employed at the former Central England Co-operative travel shop, including branch manager Teresa Bailey-Green, were retained by Midcounties, and are relocating to the new premises.

The external signage and interior branding will read “Your Co-op Travel”, which is a new brand name being piloted by Midcounties for its Co-operative Travel retail branches.

Bailey-Green said: “It’s wonderful to be breathing life back into a charming, historic building that’s been sitting empty for some time.

"We have been told that the building dates to the early 1700s and was extended by owner, Edward Blowers, a locksmith, in 1749 and inhabited by his son, a clockmaker also called Edward Blowers.

"The ornate balcony was added circa. 1900. We feel very privileged to be able to serve the community of Beccles from our new premises, with its rich heritage and prime position.”