"Thomas Cook was a man of real vision, who transformed the travel industry."
Thomas Cook, well-known for his package holidays, has been honoured with the unveiling of a Green Plaque at Loughborough Railway Station.
The plaque to commemorate Thomas Cook’s historic connection to the station was unveiled on Tuesday 17 October.
In July 1841, Thomas Cook hired a train on the Midlands Counties Railway to take people from Leicester to Loughborough to attend a temperance rally being held there. He sold nearly 500 tickets for the return trip at a shilling a piece.
Dr Kevin Feltham, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said: "Thomas Cook was a man of real vision, who transformed the travel industry. I hope the many passengers who pass through Loughborough Station might pause at this plaque and remember a local man who literally changed how we travel and see the world."
Cook went on to arrange many more package excursions and holidays later expanding to Europe and America.
Joe Hoy, EMR Customer Service Supervisor at Loughborough Station, said: "We welcome this plaque at Loughborough Station. It’s important to recognise the historic connection the station has with Thomas Cook and the impact he had with the railways, tourism in general and the local communities.
“It’s in a great, eye-catching location for our customers to see. It acknowledges the long, proud history of the station and will bear witness to its future."
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