Cook claims shop closures ‘not unusual’
Thomas Cook is looking to close 24 stores country-wide in a move it describes as ‘business as usual’.
The operator claims 22 of the proposed closures are due to leases expiring and the other two due to performance.
A 90-day consultation, at stores as far apart as Northampton, Bangor, Cleethorpes and Stirling, started last week with more than 100 staff.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said that with a large network of stores, the move was not unusual.
“This is very much business as usual,” a spokeswoman said.
“All our shops are under review with leases expiring. This is what we continually do. Unfortunately there will be redundancies but we will do everything we can to minimise this and if we can find opportunities for staff within the network, we will do.”
Thomas Cook UK mainstream chief executive Ian Ailles said high street stores were still the most popular way to book holidays.
“However, there are times, like today, when we will propose closing a small number of individual stores to remain effective in this competitive environment,” he added.
By Diane Evans
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