Metro operator to close city’s Travelshop

M e t ro b o s s e s h ave a n - nounced that the system’s Travelshop in Sunderland will not be reopening after being closed at the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

The shop – which sold season tickets, photocards and stocked printed timetables and maps – is one six which Metro owner and operator Nexus is closing.

The others are in South Shields, the Central and Haymarket stations in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Shields.

Thepublictransportbody said the shops were no longer needed as all the services they provided are available online, at ticket machines, or through the assistance of staff at bus and Metro stations.

It has begun an eightweek public consultation asking anyone who believes they may be adversely affected to get in touch, so they may be assisted to access alternative services.

Nexus say the 17 employees who worked at the shops prior to lockdown will be found alternative roles in the organisation.

Most have been working on bus stations to help maintain distancing and the use of face coverings, or in related customer service roles.

Huw Lewis, customer services director at Nexus, said: “Our customers can now do almost everything they used to do across a counter faster and more conveniently online. People simply don’t need our shops any more.

“Our shops team have proved to be unsung heroes of the pandemic – switching overnight to frontline customer service roles and helping encourage social distancing and the use of face coverings. We will find alternative roles for all of them.”