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Co-operative Travel branch moves to grade II-listed site

A Co-operative Travel agency in Suffolk has moved to a new home in a grade II-listed former music shop.

The new Co-operative Travel shop in Beccles will open on the site of the former Morlings Music Shop – which closed after 80 years in 2007 – from November 2, 2020. More recently it was a Coral bookmakers.

The branch, which used to be part of Central England Co-operative, has moved from its previous location in the Beales department store in the town.

It was among the 16 Central England Co-operative travel branches that transferred to Co-operative Travel, the retail travel division of Midcounties Co-operative, taking its retail network to 78 shops.

The five agents at the branch, including manager Teresa Bailey-Green, were retained by Midcounties Co-operative, and are relocating to the new premises.

External signage and interior branding will read ‘Your Co-op Travel’, a new brand name being piloted by Midcounties Co-operative for its Co-operative Travel retail branches.

Bailey-Green said: “It’s wonderful to be breathing life back into a charming, historic building that’s been sitting empty for some time.  We have been told that the building dates to the early 1700s and was extended by owner, Edward Blowers, a locksmith, in 1749 and inhabited by his son, a clockmaker also called Edward Blowers.

“The ornate balcony was added circa. 1900. We feel very privileged to be able to serve the community of Beccles from our new premises, with its rich heritage and prime position.”

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