Barrhead Travel has reopened its flagship store in Glasgow’s Oswald Street almost 20 months after closing the branch due to the Covid pandemic.
The shop – which spans 22,000 square feet and is Europe’s largest retail travel agency – shut ahead of lockdown in March 2020.
Usually home to Barrhead’s specialist departments, including long-haul, Canada and cruise, most of the store’s staff have worked from home for the duration of the pandemic.
Barrhead reopened its full retail network during the summer but said the size and scale of Oswald Street meant its reopening was “met with complexities” and required a redesign of some areas and protocols in order to meet health and safety requirements.
President Jacqueline Dobson said an increase in footfall to Glasgow city centre had fuelled the shop’s reopening.
Dobson said she and her team were “absolutely thrilled” to be able to meet with customers in person once again at the branch.
“Oswald Street is our home – most of our teams from across the country congregate here after training activities and, in normal times, we welcome suppliers and partners on a weekly basis,” she added.
“Our reopening comes as Glasgow city begins its own recovery. Footfall has been low in the city centre but with Christmas approaching and more people back in the office, the city’s famous buzz is at long last returning. We’re looking forward to supporting the wider business community to help revive footfall and restore the high street.”
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