All of Thomas Cook’s 23 Northern Ireland stores are saved after Hays Travel steps in with a rescue deal
AROUND 115 jobs at 23 Thomas Cook stores in Northern Ireland have been saved after one of the UK’s biggest travel agents stepped in to buy all its UK premises.
Hays Travel has already employed 421 members of Thomas Cook staff since the travel group went out of business last month.
It has now bought all Thomas Cook’s 555 shops, which it says it intends to reopen immediately, potentially saving up to 2,500 further jobs. Up until now Hays has not had any premises in Northern Ireland.
Hays Travel also promised to create another 100 jobs at its Sunderland headquarters.
“It is a game-changer for us, almost trebling the number of shops we have and doubling our workforce — and for the industry, which will get to keep some of its most talented people,” said founder John Hays.
“We are looking forward to welcoming many more people who share our passion for the travel industry, into our family business.”
The 178-year-old Thomas Cook folded on September 23 after failing to secure a last-minute rescue deal.
The news left around 150,000 passengers stranded abroad, the last of whom were returned to the UK on Monday.
“This is an extremely positive outcome, and we are delighted to have secured this agreement,” said Jim Tucker, a KPMG partner who was appointed joint special manager of Thomas Cook’s retail division after the failure.
“It provides re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former Thomas Cook employees, and secures the future of retail sites up and down the UK high street.”
Mr Tucker said the administrators would work with Hays to “ensure a smooth transition of the store estate”.
He added: “We are pleased to have achieved this in a short time frame and in the context of a complex liquidation process, which is testament to a lot of hard work from a number of parties.”
Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said Thomas Cook’s collapse had been “hugely distressing” for staff and travellers.
“I welcome the news that Hays Travel is purchasing Thomas Cook’s real estate, and hope this will provide significant re-employment opportunities for former Thomas Cook employees,” she added.