The agency’s owners, Irene and Kristina Hulme, have taken the decision to retire, after 30 years. They will help with the transition before finishing on February 6, when the shop will close.

Travel by Design will become part of Elegant Resorts, and will continue to operate under its current name and Abta number. All operations will be based at the Elegant Resorts head office in Chester.

The new Travel by Design team will be headed up by Sue Law and supported by Sandra Woodward and Sarah Edwards, who have 40 years’ travel industry experience between them.

Elegant said Travel by Design will “not be a retail business in competition with any other travel agent”.

It will take on all future bookings and the current database of Travel by Design, and will also be used to process requests and bookings that Elegant receives directly, and cannot fulfil “due to product or budget”.

Lisa Fitzell, managing director of Elegant Resorts, said: “This marks yet another incredible milestone in our company’s history as we continue to accelerate our growth in the luxury travel market and fulfil our vision to provide the very best in class luxury holidays, delivered with a truly personal service.

“I would like to congratulate Irene and Kristina on their extremely successful career and wish them a wonderful and fulfilling retirement.”