Saville Travel, which has been operating in Wimborne for the past 44 years, becomes the latest addition to Fred Olsen Travel's network. It follows the passing of Saville's owner Ron Stanley last November.
Fred Olsen Travel said on Tuesday (31 March) it has been working with Ron's daughter Margareta through probate since then to complete the acquisition as quickly as possible to provide clarity for the family, as well as Saville's employees and customers.
Following the acquisition, the agency will continue to operate under the Saville Travel brand but will benefit from being part of the wider Fred Olsen Travel network, including marketing support.
Both members of Saville 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 been with Saville Travel for 26 years, has been promoted to assistant manager.
Last month, Fred Olsen Travel acquired licensee agency Ponders Travel in Cambridgeshire. It now has 13 shops across the south coast, and a further 10 in East Anglia, plus Saville in Dorset.
'Very much business as usual'
Julie Berry, Fred Olsen Travel managing director, said the business was looking forward to continuing Ron's legacy "of delivering exceptional service and fantastic holidays".
"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," Berry added.
Margareta Stanley said: “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 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."
