Cook-Co-op deal hours away from approval
Thomas Cook has dismissed a report over the weekend that it is considering closing hundreds of shops following its planned retail merger with The Co-operative Travel, which is expected to get the final seal of approval tomorrow.
A spokesman for the Competition Commission confirmed today that its final decision into the proposed merger, which would create a chain of over 1,300 shops, was likely to be announced in the morning.
The Sunday Times claimed that Thomas Cook was "mulling plans" to shut hundreds of shops following the deal, despite earlier claims by the retail chain that only around 75 would close.
It pointed out that the merger was masterminded by former chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa, who quit two weeks ago following pressure from major shareholders.
However, a Thomas Cook spokeswoman dismissed the Sunday Times report as "mere speculation". She said the group remained committed to the High Street, despite the departure of Fontenla-Novoa.
She said Cook would not confirm the extent of shop closures until it had examined Co-op's data following the merger.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
AirlineRatings reveals world's safest airline rankings for 2026
Vietnam warns airlines of possible flight reductions amid jet fuel shortages
Fliggy opens AI-powered travel bookings and developer tools