The Spear Travels Group has bought one-branch agency Regent Travel in Staffordshire and pledged to expand further.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, brings the miniple’s portfolio to 12 branches – just one short of the number it had in 2019, prior to merging some branches at larger premises.
Spear Travels Group managing director Peter Cookson said it was “great to be back on the acquisition trail” after the “difficult Covid years”.
Regent Travel, in Stone, is well known locally and will retain its name rather than adopting the Spear brand. “It is too strong a brand, like Broads Travel, which we bought six years ago and still trades under that name,” said Cookson.
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“We want to make the whole transition seamless. Nothing will change outwardly.”
The agency has 10 staff and offers a programme of escorted tours in the UK and overseas led by its own guides.
Cookson said the group would sell Regent’s tours through its other branches and expand departures, based on its shop locations, creating further job opportunities “in due course”.
He said: “We’re excited to have Regent Travel as part of our business, especially in our 40th anniversary year. They have a hugely experienced team who will be a major asset, and we’re delighted [owner] David Barrett is staying on board to maintain continuity.”
He said the group had been having discussions with “another couple of agencies” over the past year, adding: “We’ll continue to try to find opportunities like this one where there is a good fit, both in location and type of business.”
Barrett, who instigated the sale, said: “I’ve been looking to take more of a back seat, especially from the time-consuming administration side of running a travel business, and approached Spear as they are well known to us and seemed a perfect fit with the same work ethos.
“I look forward to working with them for several years to come. I will continue to lead some of the tours.”
Elite Travel Group member Regent will switch consortia to join Spear in The Advantage Travel Partnership.
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