Fred Olsen Travel has taken over long-standing independent agency Saville Travel in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, as its 24th branch.
The acquisition process for the agency, which has been in business for 44 years, has been ongoing since last year.
Owner Ron Stanley died in November and Fred Olsen Travel supported his daughter Margareta through probate to ensure that the deal was completed as quickly and easily as possible for the family, employees and customers.
Saville Travel joins 13 other shops across the south coast and a further 10 branches in East Anglia.
The branch will continue to operate under the Saville Travel brand and will gain Fred Olsen Travel marketing support to enhance the business.
Both members of staff have transferred across with the business and taken on new roles.
Mandy Legg, who has been with Saville Travel for 32 years, has been promoted to branch manager, while Charlotte Greening, who has worked for the agency for 26 years, has been promoted to assistant manager.
Fred Olsen Travel managing director Julie Berry said: “We are delighted to welcome Saville Travel to the Fred Olsen Travel family and to continue Ron’s legacy of delivering exceptional service and fantastic holidays to the Wimborne community.
“Saville Travel’s commitment to providing outstanding service and understanding the needs of their customers aligns with our own values at Fred. Olsen Travel and we would like reassure everyone that it is very much business as usual.”
Margareta Stanley added: “The key to maintaining my father’s legacy was protecting both our incredible staff and the high quality travel offering for our valued customers.
“In choosing to move forward with Fred Olsen Travel, I feel that I am doing just that – providing the wider Wimborne community that my father cared so much about with the ability to access bespoke, high quality travel.
“Fred Olsen’s reputation keeps the business in safe and stable hands and I look forward to seeing Saville Travel under its new owners remain on the high street for decades to come.”
