A Ferryhill travel company is heading for a £2million landmark after a successful year.

Melanie Robson, owner of Mel’s Travel is off to a flying start - despite opening her new agency during a global pandemic with a travel ban.

When the pandemic began, Melanie was working as a homeworker for Hays Travel and was hit with a mountain of cancellations and amendments. After a few months, she decided to leave and begin a new adventure of her own - setting up a new travel agency from scratch.

“I wasn’t sure whether it was a really brave or stupid idea but there was only one way to go and that was up,” she says.

Mel’s Travel, which is still part of the Hays Travel group, opened for business in September 2020 and has already achieved over £1.7million in sales.

“The risk certainly paid off,” said Mel.

“We now have a small shop in Ferryhill, Co Durham which opened in April 2021 after the national lockdown.

“Despite travel bans, multiple restrictions with vaccinations, positive cases and entry forms, we have absolutely thrived, which we’re really proud of during such a difficult time.”

There are three staff working in the store - Melanie herself, Maria who has been in the business from the start and also Jordan who has recently joined the team.

They recently won an award for ‘Best new business’ from Hays Travel and Jet2 holidays at the annual Hays Travel conference in Tenerife in March.