TUI reveals plans for store where agent Cassie Hayes was killed
TUI is to reopen the Southport store where 28-year-old travel agent Cassie Hayes was murdered last month.
It announced today that the shop on Chapel Street will be fully refurbished before it reopens on Monday, March 19.
Yesterday a court in Liverpool heard that Andrew Burke, 30, had admitted to Cassie’s murder but he has yet to enter a formal plea. She died after being stabbed in the shop where she was working on Saturday, January 13.
A TUI spokesperson said: "We can confirm that after extensive consideration and consultation with the local team we are following their wishes and will be reopening our Southport store.
"It will undergo a full refurbishment over the next few weeks so the team will be ready to welcome customers on Monday 19th March."
Helen Caron, TUI director of distribution and cruise, added: "The events at the Southport store shocked us all and we’ve continued to offer support to everyone affected.
"The decision to reopen the store following the tragic incident was made by the store team who have been very involved in the entire decision making process, with all team members returning to work.
"We would like to extend our thanks to the travel industry and Southport community for their continued support."
She said TUI has also shared the plans with Cassie’s family, who said: "Cassie has been thought of every step of the way and that means the world to us. Cassie loved her job, her regular customers and her work colleagues who became great friends. The TUI store is where she laughed and smiled and we would like Cassie’s amazing personality to remain a treasured memory within the Southport store."
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent