Stourbridge News
Mayor 'cuts the ribbon' at travel firm relaunch
10:20am Wednesday 22nd February 2012
STAFF at travel firm Thomas Cook threw open their doors for a launch party to celebrate the opening of their new Stourbridges store.
Formerly based in the Crown Centre, which is about to undergo a multi-million pound revamp, the store has moved into the Ryemarket shopping centre in the town centre.
The Mayor of Dudley, councillor Michael Evans, officially opened the new store on Friday (February 17) which was followed by a celebratory weekend featuring cake and competitions on February 18 and 19.
Stourbridge councillor Malcolm Knowles, the borough’s business champion, welcomed the relocation of the store which he feared may leave the town altogether after 30 years of trading.
He said: “I’m very pleased; it’s a little bit of good news for Stourbridge.”
Ryemarket centre manager Karl Taylor added: “To have a such a prestigious travel firm in The Ryemarket will be great for the centre and for Stourbridge generally and we wish them and their staff all the best and look forward to a long association with them.”
To mark the launch, the store was giving away prizes including a signed West Bromwich Albion shirt and a Games Break Package for two to The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The Ryemarket has also hired a surf simulator challenge for the day and staged a fancy dress competition at Costa Coffee as part of a local heroes initiative.