THE founder of major UK travel company has died aged 80.

Barrhead Travel boss Bill Munro passed away at his home in Thorntonhall, South Lanarkshire, after falling ill during the summer.

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The businessman started up his one-stop shop on Barrhead Main Street in 1975 with just three staff after he grew bored of life working in banking.

He realised there was a gap in the market when he couldn’t find a travel agent which was open late enough to book his own holiday.

During the early days, when other agencies were closed at the weekends and worked short hours, Barrhead Travel opened early until late – seven days a week.

The business grew to become the biggest independent travel agent in Scotland and one of the major travel chains in the UK.

After a period of expansion throughout the 80s and 90s, Bill opened up shops in almost every major Scottish town and city.

In 2007, Bill handed the business over to his daughter Sharon.

And by 2010, the company was turning over £100million annually – with 400 staff working out of 20 shops.

Bill was described as “one of the trailblazers in UK travel” and received a lifetime achievement gong at the Travel Achievement Awards in 2010.

He was also honoured by the British Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2015.

The business was then sold to US based travel company Travel Leaders Group for an undisclosed fee in 2018.

The Barrhead Travel boss died peacefully at his home.

He leaves his wife, Susan, daughters Sharon and Wendy, grandchildren Ross and Hannah.