This area’s highly successful holiday firm Althams Travel has celebrated its 140th birthday - it was established as a teashop in Nelson back in 1874!
Its headquarters is now based in Burnley but it still has a key branch in Nelson, which it has been using for 140 years.
The building at the corner of Scotland Road and Market Street was built in 1871.
Althams now have 31 branches, mainly in Lancashire and Yorkshire but also elsewhere. As well as Nelson, they are in Colne, Burnley, Accrington, Rawtenstall, Blackburn, Skipton, Keighley and lots of other places.
They used to just sell food, drinks and other things but then started to offer holidays. And in the 1960s they gave up food and concentrated entirely on holidays and travel as an independent travel agent.
On Saturday, the Nelson branch had a birthday party and visitors included Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson and Pendle Council leader Coun. Joe Cooney. The branch manager Suzanne Wilkinson hosted the event and said: “I’ve been here for 15 years. I’m enjoying the 140th birthday. I’m looking forward to the 150th birthday, too!”
Coun. Cooney said: “I used to work here – my first professional job was here. It’s great to see a busy town centre business after 140 years. I have happy memories here.”
And MP Mr Stephenson said: “I’m delighted to join for the 140th birthday party. It’s really good to see independent travel agents going from strength to strength. They are a great local firm and good local employers!”