Coquet Cottages, the award-winning North East luxury holiday letting agency, has joined The Travel Chapter in a deal that will see Coquet Cottages become the latest addition to its quality portfolio of businesses.
Founded in 1998 by Julie Ringland, who was subsequently joined in the business by her husband Mark, daughter Stephanie Robertson and son Miles, Coquet Cottages manages a portfolio of around 140 privately owned luxury holiday properties in Northumberland.
The business, based in Warkworth, was launched when Julie, at the time managing her own portfolio of luxury holiday properties, saw an opportunity to expand the portfolio under management after she was approached by other owners in the village to take on their properties.
During the past 25 years Coquet Cottages has grown exponentially, winning numerous awards and accolades and consistently maintaining an impressive average occupancy rate. For the year ended December 2023 their properties had an occupancy rate of more than 56% percent.
As a result of the acquisition, Coquet Cottages joins a portfolio of high-quality regional and lifestyle holiday letting brands owned by The Travel Chapter. Based in Devon, The Travel Chapter has evolved from a small South West-focussed lettings agency into one of the largest, award-winning, holiday letting businesses in the UK.
Following the acquisition Julie and Mark will gradually take a step back from the business while Stephanie, as General Manager, will retain responsibility for the day-to-day running of the business, working alongside the team at The Travel Chapter.
Coquet Cottages were advised by Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), which was introduced to the business by the company’s accountants Robson Laidler.
Advising the business was RGCF Partner and Head of Corporate Finance, Carl Swansbury CF Senior Manager Connor McBride, and CF Executive Max Woodhouse.
Accounting and tax advice was provided by Accounts Director John Holbrook and Client Manager Joe Brown from Robson Laidler. Legal advice was provided by Ward Hadaway, delivered by Corporate Partner Tom Pollard, Managing Associate in the Real Estate team Matthew Miller, Managing Associate in the Employment team Tom Shears, Corporate Associate Liam Stubbs, Corporate Solicitor Jamie Guy and Corporate Solicitor Nicole Axon.
Julie Ringland said: “I am extremely proud of what we have built at Coquet Cottages with the support of our wonderful staff and property owners with whom we have worked so closely over the past 25 years. I am confident that the business will continue to thrive and grow under the continued stewardship of Stephanie, with the support of the Travel Chapter team.”
Jayne McClure, Chief Executive of The Travel Chapter, said: “I am delighted that Julie and her family have chosen The Travel Chapter as their long-term home for Coquet Cottages. It is a stunning collection of properties in a beautiful part of the country, and we are looking forward to working with Stephanie, the team and the property owners it represents to deliver many more years of successful holiday letting in Northumberland.”
Connor McBride, Senior Manager at RGCF, said: “Coquet Cottages is a highly respected brand with an exceptional portfolio of properties that will gain a great deal from being part of The Travel Chapter group of agencies. The holiday lettings market continues to perform well and has witnessed an extended period of consolidation as a result. This is a stand-out acquisition in the sector and brings together two outstanding businesses for the benefit of both holiday home owners and their guests.”
Photo by Bruce Edwards on Unsplash