THE COMPANY that bought-up 2,000 defunct Thomas Cook shops last October has warned that almost 900 of its staff may lose their jobs.
Hays Travel said in a statement that 878 employees of a workforce of 4,500 may have to go because of coronavirus travel restrictions.
“Devastated” owners John and Irene Hays say Spanish travel restrictions led to hundreds of thousands of cancelled holidays. They had “made every possible effort” to protect jobs, the statement says.
The company is consulting with 344 staff who were training as travel consultants, and 534 working in the foreign exchange division. Experienced travel sales staff, apprentices and other head office staff are understood not to be affected.
“Following the decision to ban travel to Spain and the changes in furlough conditions coming at the same time, we have had no choice,” said the Hays.
