11 December 2009

Take over of well known agency

Well known independent St Andrew’s Travel in Bolton has been taken over by Hays Travel.

The deal means that St Andrew’s three North-West based branches and cruise lounge will be rebranded Hays Travel, which already has has 35 agencies, three call centres and more than 300 homeworkers.

All 24 staff at St Andrew’s Travel will remain in their jobs as part of the take over of the shops in Bolton, Horwich and Westhoughton, according to Hays.

The move gives the North East-based agency group its first foothold west of the Pennines.

Sales and marketing general manager Jane Schumm said: "I’m delighted to announce that we are expanding into the North West, where we hope to gain the same kind of street presence and brand recognition as we do in the North East using the St Andrew’s purchase as a springboard."

Opened in 1983, St Andrew’s Travel grew from a one-man business to a leading agency in the North West with more than 20 staff.

Mac van der Merwe, owner of St Andrew’s Travel and CEO of Zorgvliet Portfolio, runs a range of hotels and game lodge in South Africa and has recently launched the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club.

The sale will allow him to concentrate on international vacation ownership markets leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a statement said.

by Phil Davies