Travel agent celebrating a decade of Destination delights

Destination, the travel agent at No. 57 Kirkgate, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Owners Shevaun Joy (seated) and Lisa Manditsch (standing left) are pictured above with sales consultant Natalie Bowden (centre) and administrator Jill Swire.

Shevaun and Lisa both worked for Specialist Travel, which closed in Silsden in February 2009, having occupied No. 57 for 14 years and prior to that an office across the road. Shevaun and Lisa opened Destination in June 2009 after securing their ABTA licence and becoming ABTA bonded. They both went into the travel business from school, Shevaun aged 16 and Lisa 18.

The company offers a wide range of holidays and says river cruising in Europe is the big draw at the moment. Compared with 10 years ago, families are going farther afield and 'experience' holidays are popular with young families who have older children. Destination will mark its anniversary in June.  

Specialist Travel moved into No. 57 following the closure of H. Cooper, a well-known shoe shop, which was a Kirkgate mainstay for many years. 

This photograph from the 1950s shows a gala procession passing No. 57 Kirkgate when it was the drapery store of W. Sugden & Sons. Next door was the National Provincial Bank, which became Natwest. The bank moved out a few years ago. Solicitors Walker Foster moved in recently.