Pictured left to right outside the new store are: Paul Hardwick, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Director of Retail; Emma Bailey, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Tutti Taylor, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents; Councillor Candy Vaughan, Mayor of Eastbourne; Trevor Ridler, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents Business Development Manager; and Shirley Waters, Fred. Olsen Travel Agents..
Fred. Olsen Travel, one of the UK’s leading travel agencies, continues its expansion in Suffolk with the acquisition of Ipswich-based Idelo Travel which is located 50 yards away from the company’s existing branch on St Nicholas Street.
The acquisition of Idelo Travel came about following the well-deserved retirement of owners Andrea and Antony Powell who approached Fred. Olsen Travel about the possibility of buying them out. Fred. Olsen Travel was delighted to step in and acquire the shop and its database while also protecting customer bookings and staff jobs.
Both of the Idelo Travel staff, Sarah Masullo and Maggie Deer, were delighted that their jobs were saved and excited to start working for Fred. Olsen Travel whose business is very similar in terms of what they sell as well as customer base.
Fred. Olsen Travel Agents head of commercial, Paul Hardwick, comments: “I’m so pleased that we were able to step in to acquire Idelo Travel and take on their staff, both of whom are experienced and intrinsically linked to existing Idelo Travel bookings. As a Fred. Olsen Travel Agency, Idelo Travel is now part of an independent family-owned company with a high rate of repeat customers and a reputation for providing excellent service and great value for money. Not only do our staff have the knowledge and ability to tailor-make a dream holiday, but Fred. Olsen Travel also has the industry bonding and accreditation to ensure financial security and peace of mind for our customers. Now more than ever, people really do trust and value the service and protection that a specialist travel agent provides.”
Fred. Olsen Travel has been a fixture on the high street for over 35 years with 18 travel agencies along the south coast and across East Anglia. Each branch has its own strong identity and is run passionately by the branch manager and team who look to deliver unrivalled service and knowledge when sourcing the best holidays and cruises for their customers. In an age when much is made of the decline of the high street it is worth noting that Fred. Olsen Travel Agents have actually increased their number of high street outlets, opening 11 new shops in the past six years.
