The Travel Network Group has acquired Abbotts Travel, bringing the number of managed service shops owned by the group to 19.
Abbotts Travel will now become part of its Worldchoice Plus managed service proposition TTNG Retail.
The move follows the decision by Abbotts Travel owner Julian Abbott to retire after 42 years from the family business. He started at the agency, based in South Woodford, east London, when he was 19 years old.
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Abbotts Travel, previously a Worldchoice member of The Travel Network Group, will retain its name and team under the deal, which will see back-office functions managed by head office to allow shop staff to concentrate on day-to-day sales and operations. The group will take care of supplier payments and other administrative tasks.
Chief executive Gary Lewis said: “We are delighted to welcome Abbotts Travel into our network of retail businesses.
“Abbotts Travel is a well-established and respected business in the travel industry. The Travel Network Group strategy is to support our members when their circumstances change.
“Julian has taken the decision to retire to finally spend time with his family and on his many hobbies. We wish him a long and happy retirement.
“As a group, we are keen to preserve the unique strengths of the Abbotts Travel team and brand, while leveraging synergies to improve operational efficiencies.”
The Abbotts Travel team of four will now report directly to TTNG retail director Julie Pinkney.
She said: “We have extended a warm welcome to the very talented team members who have joined us.
“Their expertise and dedication are invaluable to our organisation and we look forward to collaborating with them to create even more exceptional travel experiences for their customers.”
TTNG Retail had seven stores in early 2020, rising to 17 later that year with the addition of Newell’s Travel’s 10 branches.
The division also includes West Midlands-based agency Destina Travel, an agency and small operator trading under the Mercian Travel brand, bought in early 2020.
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