Chester-based Sykes Holiday Cottages has agreed a deal to acquire Pure Cottages Group from leading private equity investor LDC for an undisclosed sum.
The Pure Cottages Group is a collection of five luxury holiday rental agencies, created following LDC’s investment in Lakelovers in December 2017 and its support of the business’ acquisitive growth strategy.
In 2017, Lakelovers managed 500 holiday properties in the Lake District. Today, Pure Cottages Group manages more than 1,500 holiday homes throughout Cumbria, Cornwall and the Cotswolds, having acquired Heart of the Lakes, Lake District Lodge Holidays, Character Cottages, John Bray Cornish Holidays and regional cleaning business, Maid in the Cotswolds, during its partnership with LDC.
The brands within the Pure Cottages Group will join Sykes’ existing collection of regional brands, which includes Cornish Cottage Holidays, Helpful Holidays and Menai Holidays.
The move follows Sykes’ investment in New Zealand operator Bachcare in April and supports the fast-growing firm’s plans for further UK and international expansion.
Sykes has enjoyed a record year in 2019 with bookings up 26 per cent year-on-year and sales and profits rising to £68 million and £20 million, respectively. It currently employs more than 600 people across 16 UK offices and has taken 1.6 million travellers on holiday in 2019.
Graham Donoghue, chief executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “The Pure Cottages Group is well established in some of the UK’s most popular holiday hotspots, so the deal bolsters our range of premium holiday homes in Cumbria, Cornwall and the Cotswolds. With the team at Pure Cottages on board, we’re able to give our customers even greater choice alongside local expertise. By continuing to invest in the business and grow our family of brands, we’re also supporting the long-term success of each holiday let for its owner.”
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