Travel Bureau plans to expand its reach in the cruise and business travel markets following its recent acquisition.

The boutique travel agency is currently undergoing a refurbishment of its premises in Gosforth, northeast England, after being bought by Travel Counsellors founder David Speakman.

Jeanne Lally, who is staying with the business as joint managing director alongside Anne Bromley, said the investment meant the business could now move forward with its long-held growth ambitions.

She said: “We had been looking for a number of years to grow the business in different areas that we had not been able to do pre-Covid; developing the business was part of our longer term plan. Cruise and corporate are areas we want to focus on.”

Lally believed the investment could result in “significant growth” in both cruise and business travel revenues, adding: “We have always been proactive on cruise with a healthy level of repeat and new business, now we see the opportunity to grow the cruise business further.”

She said Speakman had been “really helpful during Covid in terms of advice and support” for the business, with the sale itself presenting an “amazing opportunity” to invest in areas of the business.

Investment already announced to improve the agency’s technology would prove “critical”, said Lally, as well as the upgrades to its shop, which is a Kuoni partner store, in order to ensure it attracts the right customers.

Lally said: “It’s a big shop with lots of potential.”

She described the business as being “really energised” as a result of the sale. Lally added: “It’s so exciting to be involved.”