Hays Travel acquires Polka Dot Travel for undisclosed sum

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Pictured L-R: Hays head of brand Graeme Tolchard, Polka Dot co-director Phillipa Wilcox, Hays retail director Jane Schumm, Polka Dot co-directors Mark Johnson and Helen Johnson

Hays Travel has acquired Polka Dot Travel for an undisclosed sum.

The Sunderland-based agency will take on the miniple’s 15 branches and 74 employees, with no jobs at risk.

The 15 shops, which are spread across the northwest, the Midlands and North Wales, will continue to trade as Polka Dot Travel.

Polka Dot was launched in 2013 by Helen Johnson and Philippa Wilcox, before Mark Johnson joined the business two years later.

More: Hays Travel acquires Cruise.co.uk parent Victoria Travel Group

Hays Travel retail director Jane Schumm praised the trio for establishing a business with “a reputation for exceptional customer experience”, as well as the wider Polka Dot team for “their knowledge and professionalism”.

“We are delighted to welcome Polka Dot Travel’s people to our Hays Travel group – their expertise, experience, and enthusiasm for travel are a significant factor in our decision to acquire the business from Helen, Philippa and Mark,” said Schumm.

“We look forward to learning from the team in Polka Dot Travel’s 15 branches.”

Schumm said Hays Travel would “take great care” of Polka Dot’s employees as she wished the three directors “every happiness and success”.

She added: “We know the Polka Dot team will benefit from the huge choice of suppliers we represent across long-haul, short-haul, and cruise, and the opportunity to introduce our award-winning foreign exchange offer to their customers.”

Johnson explained that the “time is right” to sell the agency she started alongside Wilcox 12 years ago.

She said: “We have worked so hard to build our business and it’s reassuring to know that our brilliant people are now part of the Hays Travel family and that their jobs are safe.”

In a message to her staff, she added: “Thank you for being incredible, we know how much your customers love you and that you will fully embrace every opportunity that comes from being part of the UK’s largest independent travel agent.”

More: Hays Travel acquires Spear Travels Group

The acquisition means Polka Dot will no longer be a member of Advantage Travel Partnership.

Paul Nunn, Advantage chief operating officer, said: “Although we’re obviously sad to see Polka Dot Travel leave Advantage, we’re absolutely delighted for Philippa, Helen and Mark on the sale of a wonderful business.

“We thank them for the partnership we’ve shared and wish the remaining team at Polka Dot continued success.”

Earlier this year, Hays Travel bought Cruise.co.uk parent Victoria Travel Group and Spear Travels Group.

This followed acquisitions of Just Go Travel, Travel House and Miles Morgan Travel, taking its network across the UK to almost 500 branches and 4,500 employees.