Former Scotland boss Craig Brown proved he was still game when he was on hand to cut the red tape as an Ayrshire business reopened its headquarters following a milestone makeover.
Stewart Travel reopened its Prestwick base after undergoing a 50th anniversary refurbishment – and Brown was on hand to get the party started.
The former national team manager, 81, who led Scotland to their last World Cup appearance in France 1998, is a long-standing customer of the company.
So, he took time out of his busy schedule to mark the occasion with staff.
Branch manager Donna Bicker said: “Craig lives in Prestwick and he and his family have booked with our Prestwick office for a number of years.
“I was delighted he could spare the time to open our new office and everyone enjoyed the occasion.”
The Prestwick store had a total refurbishment ahead of reopening on Saturday, June 11.
To mark the occasion, staff celebrated the day with balloons, cake and bubbly – as well as the all-important ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On top of that, the company offered a free case of wine for the first 50 bookers.
The Prestwick branch has been present in the town since Stewart Travel launched in 1972, operating from the same prominent Main Street location.
And business is "busier than ever" according to the firm’s director of retail, Linda Boyd.
Back in the day when the store opened, the Prestwick Airport airshow hosted a Concorde prototype and Ceylon was renamed Sri Lanka.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Linda said: “It’s hard to believe but in those days you could have picked up a high-class, one week, all-inclusive holiday for just £50-a-head; bell-bottom trousers and miniskirts were in vogue; Donny Osmond was top of the charts, and Marlon Brando was making offers you couldn’t refuse in The Godfather.”
But she added: “While fashions may have changed some things stay the same – our award-winning travel experts are still here to cut through the clutter and help clients find the perfect holidays.”
The firm’s Prestwick branch was named Scotland’s top agency at the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Top 50 Travel Agencies 2019, and made the Top 50 shortlist in 2020 and 2021.
It was also voted best independent travel agency at the 2019 British Travel Awards, and best high street travel agency at the 2020 awards.
Linda said: “We are busier than ever right now. But we’re also especially proud that every branch has become a part of their community.”
The company now operates branches in Ayr, Belfast, Bishopbriggs, Edinburgh, Glasgow City, Glasgow Forge, Helensburgh, Inverurie, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Prestwick and Troon.
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