Head of Retail Tricia Lester said Ashdown, which has branches in Oxted, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, as well as in Knutsford, hopes to expand further into the Chorleywood area “where it could support that branch as well”.

"We're definitely on the lookout for store number six,” she told TTG, explaining Ultimate Destinations’ owner Alan Haynes had approached Ashdown about a possible purchase as he was looking to “take a step back”. He will continue to support the business during the transition and beyond, working one day a week to ensure continuity for clients.

The experienced Ultimate Destinations team will remain in place and are “enthusiastic about the transition”. As part of the integration, Andy Carr has been appointed to Branch Manager, recognising his leadership and expertise.

The Chorleywood branch will undergo a refurbishment over the coming weeks, bringing it in line with Ashdown Travel’s other four locations’ “slightly high end luxury” feel, and “reinforcing a consistent, high-quality brand experience across all branches”.

Lester said: “It’s good news all round. The synergy between our client bases is a perfect fit, and we are incredibly excited to welcome such a knowledgeable and passionate team into the Ashdown family.

“We are proud to be growing in a way that aligns with our values… This is an exciting step forward, and we remain focused on expanding thoughtfully while maintaining the personal, expert service our clients and trade partners expect.”

Lester added it was “nice to see a company that's looking to expand in this climate”.