FOR more than 20 years James and Christine Mitchell have booked their holidays through Thomson, so staff could think of no better guests of honour to open their expanded store.

The couple have booked 46 holidays at the Thomsons shop in the Hardshaw Centre and Church Street which have merged into one branch using the old Dixons store.

With 17 staff employed in the store, boasting more than 200 years travel experience they will take on customers from the Hardshaw Centre, which closed last year and the Thomson featuring First Choice also on Church Street, whose staff have moved across the road.