Independent agency There Travel, founded by Colin Ord and Jake Todhunter, will open at an as-yet-undisclosed Harrogate town centre location at the end of September. The agency is a member of the Advantage Travel Partnership.
The agency has been growing business through its team of eight homeworkers since 2024, and the new shop will complement that operation, bringing together a physical high street presence with a team able to provide personal travel advice to customers across the country.
Todhunter and another team member will be based in the new store, and the pair will be looking to take on an apprentice. The There Travel homeworkers will also have the opportunity to work from the premises if they’d like to have a space to work and meet customers.
Both Ord and Todhunter, who have been selling travel for many years, teamed up to launch their own agency in 2024 after working as homeworkers themselves – Ord at InteleTravel and Todhunter at Hays Travel.
There Travel specialises in cruise, but sells a range of sectors. It annually hosts group cruises on Virgin Voyages, and Ord was recognised as one of the line’s top selling agents.
'Agency's philosophy'
The agency name stems from its philosophy of “being there” – for its customers, its people and the communities it serves.
Ord said: “Harrogate is already home for There Travel, so opening our first shop here feels like a natural next step for us. Since Jake and I founded the business in 2024, we’ve wanted to build something that is genuinely about being there for people [hence the brand name].
"We’ve established our base here in Harrogate and now we want to strengthen it, become even more visible within the town and give customers a place where they can come in, meet us and start planning their next adventure.
“This is a really exciting milestone for There Travel and one we’re incredibly proud of.”
What There Travel stands for
Todhunter added: “Our homeworkers are a huge part of what makes There Travel what it is, and the shop adds another dimension to that.
“We want customers to be able to connect with There Travel in the way that suits them – whether that’s sitting down with us in Harrogate or speaking to one of our homeworkers.
“Our name sums up what we want the business to stand for. It’s about being there – when someone is dreaming about their next holiday, when they’re planning it, when they’re away and when they’re ready to do it all over again.”
The Harrogate shop will help customers plan everything from family holidays and beach escapes to cruises, luxury travel and tailor-made adventures.
Further details about the official shop opening will be announced soon.