This company own a large number of subsidiaries in...

This company own a large number of subsidiaries including St Ives Holidays. We booked one of their properties over a year ago but have been prevented from taking the holiday due to Covid 19. We though twe were being reasonable in asking to transfer our booking to next year, but we were told that it was already booked. We were told we couldn't have the deposit refunded and how about the summer holidays when the cost of the property was much more. We asked to transfer the booking to another property at the time we wished to go. We were told that we could only transfer the date on the property already booked.
We have relatives who let their property through this outfit and we were privy to all the advice they had given them. The advice was from a barrister specialising in consumer law and stated that they have to allow guests to transfer the date, or transfer the booking to another property, failing that issue a credit voucher or a full refund.
I asked for a refund but then they refused to reply to any emails.
I took legal advice and submitted a request to the Land Registry for the owners and sent an email to the Chief Exec of Original Cottages, David Willmot (j.willmot@the name of the company.co.uk) informing him that I would be issuing proceeding against Orginal Cottages, St Ives Holidays and the owner of the property if I did not receive a satisfactory conclusion within 5 working days.
Guess what?
Within a couple of days they refunded me.
I should not be having to take time to write this but how many people are they doing this to?