Baldwins Travel MD Nick Marks said the Kent-based miniple is looking to add more shops in the Midlands, the south-east and elsewhere following its acquisition of one-shop Westerham Travel.
He said the deal to take over Westerham Travel, in the Kent town of the same name, was done in less than two weeks, and described it as a ‘no brainer’ for the business.
Baldwins paid only a ‘nominal’ sum for Westerham – its 11th store – following an approach by owner Simon Firbank, said Nick.
“There wasn’t really much forward business since Simon has been planning his retirement, and he was the only person working in the agency, but Westerham has always been a jewel to get because it’s in an affluent town and has an affluent database,” added Nick.
He said the shop will be rebranded Baldwins and the company is actively recruiting for a branch manager or assistant branch manager to man the agency, with the support of Baldwins’ Seven Oaks office.
“Even though it is being rebranded, we will continue the Westerham legacy, that is very dear to my heart,” added Nick.
He said Baldwins is talking to ‘two to three’ other businesses with a view to announcing further acquisitions in the next two to three months.
Following the opening of a new store in Grantham, Lincolnshire earlier this year, Nick said Baldwins was keen to expand further in the Midlands.
“However, I am very clear that we are strong in the south-east and that would be an area for expansion, and there are likely to be other areas on the horizon,” he added.
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He said the deal to take over Westerham Travel, in the Kent town of the same name, was done in less than two weeks, and described it as a ‘no brainer’ for the business.
Baldwins paid only a ‘nominal’ sum for Westerham – its 11th store – following an approach by owner Simon Firbank, said Nick.
“There wasn’t really much forward business since Simon has been planning his retirement, and he was the only person working in the agency, but Westerham has always been a jewel to get because it’s in an affluent town and has an affluent database,” added Nick.
He said the shop will be rebranded Baldwins and the company is actively recruiting for a branch manager or assistant branch manager to man the agency, with the support of Baldwins’ Seven Oaks office.
“Even though it is being rebranded, we will continue the Westerham legacy, that is very dear to my heart,” added Nick.
He said Baldwins is talking to ‘two to three’ other businesses with a view to announcing further acquisitions in the next two to three months.
Following the opening of a new store in Grantham, Lincolnshire earlier this year, Nick said Baldwins was keen to expand further in the Midlands.
“However, I am very clear that we are strong in the south-east and that would be an area for expansion, and there are likely to be other areas on the horizon,” he added.
The post Baldwins Travel MD reveals further expansion plans after snapping up Kent agency appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
