Fred Olsen Travel expansion continues with acquisition of 21st branch
James ChappleGrowing miniple Fred Olsen Travel’s plan to expand to 25 stores by the end of next year continues apace with the acquisition of Solent World Travel, the eighth addition to its network since 2021.
Solent World, which has been operating at the same premises in Lee-on-Solent for more than 30 years under different names and has for the past 11 years been owned by the Advantage Travel Partnership, becomes Fred Olsen Travel’s 21st branch – its 11th on the south coast.
Following the acquisition, the agency’s current manager Chris Dewey – who has worked in the shop all 34 years it has been open – will retire at the end of June after 44 years in the travel industry.
Three remaining members of staff will continue to work for Solent World as part of Fred Olsen Travel, one of whom will be promoted to manage the shop. Recruitment is under way for a new fourth member of staff. Nothing will change for its customers.
Paul Hardwick, Fred Olsen Travel’s director of retail, said Solent World was a fantastic fit for the agency. "I cannot wait to continue the legacy Chris Dewey and his team have built in the community over many decades," he said.
Hardwick confirmed that Dewey would stay on during June to assist the transition. "I wish him every happiness in his well-deserved retirement after 44 years in the industry," Hardwick continued. "I am delighted Cath, Lynn and Steph are transferring across with the business and am looking forward to working with them to further grow Solent World Travel for many years to come."
Dewey said: "Well, what a journey it has been. I have taken the decision to retire after 44 years in this amazing industry.
"It has been an honour to look after the holidays of so many customers but now the time has come for my family to enjoy some holidays with me. I will know where to come to arrange my trips going forward!
"I leave the office in the capable hands of Cath, Lynn and Steph, who will be guided by the team at Fred Olsen Travel.”
’Great cultural fit’
Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said the sale would ensure the store remains a part of the Advantage, and avoid competition between the consortium and Fred Olsen Travel, one of its members.
"Solent World Travel, led by Chris Dewey, has been a highly-regarded part of the Advantage family for more than 15 years," said Lo Bue-Said. "During this time, they have not only flourished as a business, but as a wholly-owned trading division have also become a valuable part of our team. While it’s been a tough decision to sell, I believe it is the right one for the business and for the Solent World Travel team.
"We have no intention of competing with our members by strategically operating our own shops and therefore, this move is to ensure the team at Solent is part of a business community that can meet its future needs. Solent’s longer-term needs will be better served by them becoming part of a business that has travel retailing at its heart, and under Paul Hardwick’s leadership, there is also a great cultural fit which we feel will make it an easy transition for our people."
Lo Bue-Said added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris and the team at Solent for their unwavering loyalty and commitment to Advantage over the years and, given that Fred Olsen Travel is a much-revered member of Advantage, it’s nice to think that they will continue to be part of the wider Advantage family."
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