Long-standing Twickenham travel agency Edwin Doran’s Travel World has been sold to Peacock Travel and Tours for an undisclosed sum.
It will be the first time Peacock – part of the Nigerian-owned Peacock Group – has had a presence on the UK high street, having been based in Peacock College in Hackney, London, until July 2013.
Edwin Doran (pictured), who founded the agency in 1974, is to leave the business and focus on his vineyard in South Africa. His wife, director Rosie Doran, will continue to work for the business during the transition period.
The agency’s two existing members of staff will remain, taking the total number of employees under the new ownership to four.
The agency name will be changed to Peacock Travel and Tours Incorporating Edwin Doran’s Travel World.
Keith Lloyd, general manager UK of Peacock Travel and Tours, aims to increase the agency’s £1.6 million turnover by up to 7% by the end of the year.
Peacock also operates a tour operating division focusing on northern Cyprus, and a bureau de change will be added.
Lloyd said: “This will be our first time on the high street and it’s very exciting, especially considering the turnover of the business is so great.
“Other agencies in the area have closed and I believe this puts us in a great position.” Lloyd said he hoped to add additional agencies in the future and would also consider homeworkers.
Doran said: “It’s sad to sell as we have gathered an outstanding collection of friends in the 40 years we have been in travel.”