Leger Shearings Group (LSG) has announced an administration deal which will see the escorted tours company acquire the Arena Travel brand and assets. Arena Travel went into administration on 23 September with a simultaneous transition to the new ownership. The agreement will see LSG acquire the special interest and touring travel company’s database, web domains and social media pages, covering all of its divisions and sub-brands.
As part of the agreement, all fifty permanent employees will retain their jobs under the TUPE protection of employees’ rights regulations. All bookings were financially protected and LSG is enabling customers to continue with their holidays as planned. The three Arena Travel offices in Market Harborough, Buckingham and Nacton, Suffolk will be taken over by LSG.
Arena Travel, which has been in business for over 45 years, is known for its river cruise holiday and specialist niche escorted holidays, including rail and bridge holidays. Craft holidays are operated under the Stitchtopia brand and cultural and garden tours under the Boxwood and Art Pursuits brands. The company also has a music and events division with Elvis, Memphis and Germany tours and operates unique events in partnership with the band Queen’s fan club.
Leger Shearings Group CEO Liam Race said: “I am very pleased that the Leger Shearings Group was able to acquire the Arena assets and importantly, protect jobs during these challenging times. We are offering all customers the ability to take the same holiday that they had booked with Arena Travel.
“The companies share some similar products, including an excellent UK tours selection and river cruise holidays, but Arena’s very specialist holidays will add a new high-end dimension to our current portfolio. This deal will make Leger Shearings Group one of the largest escorted tour companies in the UK and will help us realise our target of a £100 million turnover by 2024.”
