Cottage industry does the right thing
A FULL £1,749 refund for a cancelled holiday cottage rental is set to make a world of difference to a vulnerable couple battling cancer and shielding from Covid-19.
Donald Beck had paid in advance for the fortnight’s holiday, booked for this month through lettings company Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The rural lodge was intended as a much-needed break for his wife and two friends. But ill health and the infection threats posed by the virus obliged them to pull out, although their holiday dates were after lockdown had eased.
“My wife’s treatment won’t have finished but we can’t take the risk anyway as she is in the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ group, her immune system is suppressed and the oncologist has advised no travel,” Donald explained to Crusader after he struggled to make headway over a refund and felt a distinct lack of compassion for their situation.
While he had no insurance to cover any loss, “I have sent Sykes the medical documents,” he added.
“When lockdown was in force we were all told to stay at home and this was officially backed up. But now it is over and accommodation is available, we are told holidays can be taken.
“Yet this is far from the whole story for those in the clinically vulnerable group if they venture out.They can spend time in a support bubble in others’ homes but there is no mention of holiday accommodation.
“We have the choice to take or ignore Government advice, there is no legislation now behind it. So do we risk it or cancel and lose money? There was no debate for us, we’re staying at home.” After many holiday rental accommodation providers sparked outrage among thousands of holidaymakers when they appeared to fail to respect customers’ cancellations rights or treat them fairly in the wake of the pandemic, watchdog
BE very wary of “Like and share” adverts on social media platforms offering chances to win holidays, cars and shopping vouchers, Trading Standards is warning. Some include toxic links that can infect your computer with malware or deliver you into the clutches of scammers. the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) set up a Covid-19 investigations taskforce.
Following its action, refunds are now being issued and last week it announced the Sykes group had reversed its policy.
Crusader had already asked the company to reconsider the Becks’ problem and a Sykes Holiday Cottages spokesperson said: “Customers with bookings due to start in the current lockdown period have been offered the choice of a full cash refund if they can’t find suitable alternative dates.
“The Becks’ holiday fell outside of this period but now we’re aware of the circumstances, we’ve spoken to the owner of the property who is happy to provide a full refund.
“We wish Mrs Beck a speedy recovery.”