IT IS the end of an era – but also the start of something "very exciting".

Southampton's TUI store in Harbour Parade, which has been selling holidays for years, will close its doors for good.

But the company will be relocating to a new flagship shop in the city's High Street.

Not a single job will be lost in the move, which deputy manager Nicola Bendall has praised as a "huge success".

Daily Echo: TUI in Southampton. Photo: Google Maps TUI in Southampton. Photo: Google Maps

"I think retail parks are becoming a bit old school, and the company wants a presence on the High Street," she told the Echo.

"It's very exciting, we are all very excited to be moving into a brand new shiny shop. The old building was beginning to look a bit old and had lots of empty space as our operation is more 'paperless'.

"All 11 of us will be moving, which is a huge success but very much well-deserved."

In the last two years, TUI closed its branches in Bitterne, Totton, Whiteley and Fareham.

Daily Echo: TUI plane

The new Southampton store will officially open on Friday October 8.

Nicola, who has worked for TUI in Southampton for seven years, and for the company for 21, continued: "We have quite a few regulars who are also quite excited and we've told them all to come down for the official opening.

"I think a few of them were quite upset to see us closed for a few days, but once we explained it, they seemed relieved."

Daily Echo: Deputy manager Nicola with colleague Harriet, working at Southampton airport

The opening of a new TUI store could come as a surprise to many, as the firm announced up to 8,000 of its employees could lose their jobs in May of last year.

"Since the pandemic, people want to come in store rather than speaking to people over the phone," said Nicola. "We don't stop these days – we don't come up for air.

"It's great to see and I know it sounds cheesy, but it's all about keeping the customer happy. Southampton – come down and see us if you get the chance."