‘Passionate’ travel agents open new Spalding store

A travel agency that is ‘passionate’ about helping you book the perfect getaway will open its doors tomorrow.

Holiday Dreams is the brainchild of Joanne Devaney and Laura Rodrigues, who have more than 20 years of experience in the trade between them.

And whether it's summer sun, Swiss skiing or a Caribbean cruise, the two co-directors – who have been friends since their teens – want to help you book that break from their new Spalding store.

“We’re both so passionate about the job,” Joanne said.

“We’re an independent travel agency and we’ll be selling everything from package holidays to cruises to tours. It’s worldwide, you name it.

“We’re price competitive and you’ll get a trustworthy service. We’ll say it as it is.”

The Hall Place business will officially open tomorrow (Thursday, March 7) and prospective customers are invited to join the co-directors for celebratory drinks between 5pm and 7pm.

Laura and Joanne only got the keys to their new premises a week ago, but a combination of hard work and some help from local firms, they have transformed the store.

“When we saw this property we thought ‘let’s do it’ and that was it,” added Joanne.

“It’s fallen into place perfectly.”

Joanne and Laura worked together at Spalding’s Thomas Cook until the 178-year-old business collapsed in 2019.

The friends both went to briefly work at Co-Op Travel in Boston until Covid struck.

After stints working in the NHS, Laura and Joanne then decided to take the plunge and go into business themselves.

“We loved it at the NHS but this is our passion,” Joanne added.

“It felt like being in a family with our customers at Thomas Cook and that’s something we want to recreate.

“You feel like you start that holiday journey with them and we’ll be with them from start to finish and then ready from the next one.

“We’ve both got children. That buzz with families going on holiday, we know how exciting it is.”

Being an independent travel agency will also allow Holiday Dreams to offer tailor-made holidays at competitive prices, as well as allowing customers to book safe in the knowledge their breaks are Abta protected and money held securely in trust.

Joanne continued: “If you come to us with an internet price we will try our best to match that or get you a better price.

“But you can go away from here knowing you’re being looked after and if there’s an issue we will deal with it.”

Holiday Dreams will open from Monday to Saturday, from 9am-5pm (9am-4pm on Wednesdays).

There are also plans to introduce an on-site bureau de change.

“It’s great to be back,” said Laura.

“We were devastated for our customers when Thomas Cook went under, but we're really looking forward to getting going and we’re grateful for all the support we’ve had.”

Spalding Signs, My Castle Property Maintenance, AB Electrical, Hills Furniture and Fenland Carpets are the local businesses who have helped transform the store.