Thomas Cook Plus, Central Retail Park, Manchester

Opened: July

Design: BDG McColl

Thomas Cook Plus is an 840sqm out-of-town warehouse concept, designed to inspire customers and provide a stress-free environment.

The site has 26 service positions – helping to cut down on queuing time. Customers are greeted by a travel consultant, who guides them to the appropriate part of the store. There is also a ticket collection and payments desk, and a foreign exchange counter.

Thomas Cook researched customers’ needs, says managing director of retail Andrew Windsor: ‘What is important to them is having enough travel consultants available to serve them quickly and efficiently, so they do not have to stand in queues, and to have somewhere to sit and chat about their holiday, before they make their choice.’

To enhance the retail experience, the store features a ‘sensaround’ of video sights and sounds – such as splashing waves and children playing. The palm-fringed Café Toscana, located in the middle of the store, is intended to recreate the ambience of a Mediterranean pool-side café. There is also a children’s play area.

A second ‘Plus’ site in Oldbury, West Midlands, measuring 700sqm has also opened.