Corrie star launches shop
A SOAP star was the special guest as a new Burton travel agent officially opened for business.
Alan Halsall, who plays Coronation Street’s Tyrone Dobbs, was at the Midcounties Co-operative Travel, in Station Street, Burton to sign autographs, pose for pictures and chat with customers.
The Co-op opened the outlet in December and now the official launch event has taken place when the actor joined the deputy mayor and mayoress for East Staffordshire, Councillor Colin Wileman and Jean Hiatt for the opening.
The outlet is based in the building that travel firm Thomas Cook used to occupy and saw seven staff hired from the industry. Together they have 65 years’ experience in the travel industry, said a Co-op spokesman.
Halsall, 36, from Greater Manchester has also appeared in Heartbeat and Stanton Blues, but is best known for playing mechanic Tyrone in the top ITV soap opera.
It was not his first visit to Burton either, as a few years back he was on hand to open the town’s Mecca Bingo at Middleway Park.
He first appeared on the show in 1998 and is still a main character.
On the day, he said: “I’m always pleased to lend my support to Cooperative Travel and I loved meeting so many of its lovely customers and colleagues at the fantastic new branch in Burton.”
To celebrate the launch of the new business, customers are being offered a £50 discount for those who book holidays up until Saturday, February 16. Anyone booking a break will be entered into a draw to win £500 off the price of a flight from East Midlands Airport before the end of January. Co-op terms and conditions apply. Branch manager at the new travel store, Nicki Wilkes, said: “The launch event was the perfect way to start the new year for our Burton branch and it was fantastic to have so many people celebrating with us.
“A lot of our customers are Corrie fans and they were really excited to meet Alan, who took the time to speak to everyone.
“It was great to put a big smile on their faces and we’re looking forward to seeing what 2019 holds.”