A rare opportunity to trade along Galway's principal shopping stretch will arise shortly when the family-run travel agency John Ryan Travel vacates its long-established outlet on Williamsgate Street. From April 4th the company will operate a tele-sales and Internet service from elsewhere in the city. According to Dermot Ryan, managing director, they have been planning the move for several years. Almost 80 per cent of business at John Ryan Travel is already handled over the phone or by email and the Internet (www.traveldirect.ie).

Terry Cunningham of Cunningham Auctioneers is to handle the letting of the premises, which have 800 sq ft at street level and 600 sq ft in the basement. The shop is located in a pivotal position between Shop Street and Eyre Square, close to the Edward Square Shopping Centre, which is shortly to open for trading. Mr Cunningham said that, because of restrictions in the city centre, there was likely to be strong interest in the shop from national and international traders.