Hays Travel has acquired Spear Travels Group, which includes 12 branches and a homeworker network.
This is Hays Travel’s first acquisition of the new financial year, which began 1 May, and comes almost a year to the day since it acquired Miles Morgan Travel and its 19 branches, which grew to 20 recently with the opening of Trowbridge.
Hays says it has no plans to rebrand Spear Travels’ shops, which also include Broads Travel in Sutton Coldfield and Regent Travel in Stone, Staffordshire. The majority of the shops are located in areas where there are no Hays branches.
Spear Travels owners, husband and wife Peter and Libby Cookson and Derek Adams, will leave the business.
Peter said: “Naturally selling the business that Libby, Derek and I have worked so hard to build over the past 30 years is a difficult decision. However, we are comforted knowing that our team has found a new work family in Hays Travel. All jobs are safe, and the team now have more opportunities for development and career progression – there will be little disruption to day-to-day activity.”
Hays Chair Dame Irene Hays said: “Spear Travels is an excellent fit for us – their product mix of land, cruise, and touring holidays aligns with our core objectives, and we have much to learn from each other.
“I have enormous respect for Peter, Libby and Derek. They have built excellent, trusted brands in Spear Travels, Broads Travel, and Regent Travel. They have a loyal and growing customer base, cared for by great people with exceptional expertise and experience, who we are delighted to welcome into the Hays Travel family. I wish Peter, Libby, and Derek every happiness and success with the next chapter of their journey.”
