Your Great Adventures opens first branch in Essex

A Hays Travel Independence Group member has realised his long-held dream of opening his first high street branch.

Lewis Miller, who runs Your Great Adventures, which specialises in long-haul and multi-centre holidays, opened his new premises in the Essex village of Coggeshall on Friday 17 July.

The move is the culmination of six-and-a-half years’ hard work, which all began in his bedroom. The agency then moved to a converted shed office before progressing to a local business centre.

Lewis said: “It has been manically busy, but very exciting. Moving to a new premises does not come without its challenges and I have been in (the property) for six weeks to get it all ready.

“It has been frantic, but I have wanted to have my own retail premises from day dot.

“I was looking for the perfect place and didn’t even realise this one was available. It wasn’t until someone who knew I wanted a shop messaged my wife, Kathryn, and I managed to come to an agreement within three days.”

Lewis joined the Hays Travel Independence Group with his business partner Andy Holbrook in 2025.

The pair met through networking opportunities as part of the company’s Explorer homeworking franchise and joined forces to establish WorldLuxe Travel, which encompasses both of their agencies: Your Great Adventures and AH Escapes.

Lewis added: “It will be me running the shop, but Andy will help when called upon, and Jill, who does the admin for the business, will be in from time to time.

“The response from the local community has been really positive. People have been incredibly kind.

“Although I have loyal clients across the country, I am also very fortunate to have around 40 per cent of my customers within a five-mile radius. We are looking forward to welcoming them when they come to see us in person.”

Harriet Thompson, Head of the Hays Travel Independence Group, said: “I am thrilled that Lewis has been able to achieve his dream of opening his first branch.

“Hays Travel is committed to supporting the high street, so we will always wholeheartedly back any member who wants to diversify their business to suit the needs of their local community and customers.”