Northwich travel store bosses party with Peter Andre after scooping top award

Don Bircham and Lindsey Barber of Hays Travel North West, which has a Hays Travel store in Witton Street, Northwich, met the Mysterious Girl singer at the Jet2 VIP conference for independent travel agents held this year in Calpe, on Spain’s south eastern coast.

The three-day conference recognises the hard work and commitment of the best independent travel agents throughout the UK, with Hays Travel North West named best large independent travel agency in the UK the third consecutive year.

Don, who set up his business in 2000 with one store in Mold and now runs almost 40 stores, said: “Peter was fantastic and really great fun.

“He came and sat next to me and Lindsey on the plane on the way over where we chatted to him and then I sat on the same table with him during the awards dinner.

“He came across as the most genuine guy and we chatted about all sorts.

“What struck me is that he took a real interest in the people around him, asking them all sorts about them and their family, as well as talking about himself and his own life, which of course, most of us were very interested to find out."

Lindsey added: “He was lovely, he was polite, so sociable, professional and a very caring guy who really seemed interested in everybody.

“He asked us about the business and what we do, where our shops are, that sort of thing and he just mixed in with everybody with no airs and graces whatsoever. It was a real pleasure to meet him.”

Hays Travel North West is the main partner of Hays Travel, based in Sunderland, which is the UK’s largest independent travel agency.

The firm recently took over all 555 Thomas Cook stores following the collapse of the well-known travel brand.

Lindsey said: “The award recognises the hard work and capabilities of the whole team in working with operators such as Jet2 to ensure we are providing the best spread of holiday options possible for our valued customers.”