Forty-year-old travel firm blames web for closure

A Guernsey travel agency that has been in business for more than 40 years said online bookings and rising overheads were behind its decision to close.

Trafalgar Travel, based at Picquet House near the Town Terminus, in St Peter Port, said it had stopped taking new bookings from Monday and would close for good at the end of May.

The company, which started in 1981, said it would deal with any bookings for travel before it closes normally, while anything from June on would be picked up by alternative travel agencies.

Manager Charlie Coyle said the "very sad and tough decision" to close had been taken "with a very heavy heart".

He said he wanted to thank customers "wholeheartedly" for their "support over the years and placing your trust in us to make your dreams a reality".

"Every booking has been a pleasure for us to manage for you and your support has meant we have continued to do the job we all love doing all these years - we can't thank you enough," Mr Coyle said.

He said the company planned to move out of its current offices at Picquet House at the end of February as part of a "controlled closure".

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].