Axed workers to the rescue
Ex-workers at Stirling’s Thomas Cook store volunteered their own time to thank their former customers by talking them through the refund application process.
Former staff members attended at Caffe Nero in Port Street on Friday afternoon where they offered their expertise to holidaymakers trying to reclaim their money following the firm’s collapse last month.
Nine workers at the branch were among hundreds who lost their jobs when the firm went bust.
Long-serving staff members, some of whom had worked for the firm for 45 years, lost their jobs with no prior notice.
Thousands of customers were left out of pocket after Thomas Cook’s sudden collapse, forcing branches across the country including the one in Murray Place to shut immediately.
It’s estimated more than 140,000 tourists were stranded worldwide, leaving the Civil Aviation Authority with history’s largest peacetime repatriation – called Operation Matterhorn.
On hand at Friday’s drop-in session were former store manager Elaine Wallace and staff Martin Brown, Stanley Cargill, Michelle Johnstone, Moira Brown, Lianne Ramsay and Veronica Watson.
Dozens of customers attended to be given advice on the steps to reclaiming the cash they spent on their lost holidays.
Elaine told the Observer: “We were unfortunately never given the opportunity by Thomas Cook to open our store to help anyone who has lost their holiday. This is something that we wanted to do.
“On Monday, October 7, customers were able to start the process through the CAA to make their claims. We’re aware this could be a daunting and confusing process for some, so as a thank you for all their support over the years we would like to volunteer our help.
“Our customers are still really important to us.”
One of the staff Veronica Watson, attended the sessiony to hand out cuddly toys to her former colleagues – fashioned out of Thomas Cook uniforms that she handmade.