An award-winning travel company has expanded and opened a branch in Bacup in response to an increase in people preferring to book holidays in-person.

Chic Boutique Travel is based in Helmshore and owner Lisa Mousley said: “The travel industry is bucking the online trend as more people like the personal touch.

“I had been thinking for a while about opening up at this end of Rossendale as our head office is in Broadway Crescent, Helmshore, and we were originally founded in Waterfoot.

"We have always had customers from the Bacup area.

“I remember when Bacup Travel was based here and, as Rossendale Trailways, my later father Peter and brother Michael used to provide transport to the airport and back for them.

“When I discussed the idea with solicitor Ruth Winter, she said she had space we could use in her property Winter House in Lee Street."

Lisa said if the opening goes well she plans on extending opening times or even getting her own premises. 

Initially the branch will be open 10am to 4pm on Thursdays, and at other times by appointment.

Last year Chic Boutique Travel won the Rossendale Business Awards Independent Retailer of the Year and in 2022 won the MicroBusiness category.

On Friday, September 27, Lisa will be attending the Enterprise Vision Awards at Winter Gardens Blackpool where she is a finalist in the Customer Service category.

She said: “I was delighted to have been nominated and then had an online interview with three people putting the questions.

"It is a great honour to have been nominated for what is the largest awards in the country just for women in business.”

Lisa added: “We have found more people are wanting to use a travel agent because we can offer help and advice and have years of experience delivering amazing holidays for our clients.

“We help take the headache out of the admin, which some people struggle with online and we are there to help when maybe everything doesn’t go as planned.

“I have seen that there has been, and continues to be, significant investment in Bacup, but the one thing there isn’t is a travel agent.

"There has been a lot of new housing in the area and we can see that there is potential.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when people come back and tell us of the amazing time they had while away and we know that we made that possible. That makes my job very worthwhile.

“When it comes to that dream holiday, you will be spending a lot of money and so you want to make sure everything is perfect.”

For more information contact Lisa on 01706 250006.