BAKERS Dolphin has acquired Bowles Travel in Devon and Gloucester-based Grant Travel as owner First Choice continues its retail distribution expansion.
The miniple has also opened its largest store to date, in Plymouth, plus two agencies in Swindon and Bath. Plans are being made to expand into Berkshire.
Bowles Travel, which has three shops, and Grant Travel, with two, were acquired for an undisclosed sum and will be rebranded Bakers Dolphin.
Managing director Kevin Abbey said the number of shops in the chain will reach 65 by Easter with a further 15 to be added by the end of the year.
“We always intended to grow, but under First Choice we can do it considerably quicker,” he said. “The Plymouth store is in the middle of the city centre and is twice the size of anything we have got. Swindon and Bath are also large stores.”