Northern Ireland

Thomas Cook employees in NI offered lifeline by Hays Travel

Thomas Cook stores throughout Northern Ireland closed last month
Thomas Cook stores throughout Northern Ireland closed last month Thomas Cook stores throughout Northern Ireland closed last month

THOMAS Cook employees in Northern Ireland could be offered a lifeline after the collapsed firm was bought over by a rival travel agent.

Hays Travel yesterday announced it was buying all 555 stores run by Thomas Cook across the UK, with plans to re-open many of the shops immediately, potentially saving 2,500 jobs.

It said it had already employed 597 members of Thomas Cook staff since the travel group went out of business last month.

The move is expected to bring good news for more than 100 people who worked for Thomas Cook across 23 stores in Northern Ireland.

It emerged yesterday that plans are already underway by Hays Travel to open one of the former Thomas Cook stores in Bangor, Co Down.

In a post on Facebook, it revealed staff who had lost their jobs will now be employed by the company and based at Bloomfield Shopping Centre.

"Here at the new Hays Travel Bangor branch we are very sad over the recent collapse of Thomas Cook, the news has hit us particularly hard as we all worked at the Thomas Cook Bangor store," it said.

"We were delighted when Hays Travel offered us positions and an opportunity to continue to work together again as a team and provide you with amazing holidays and service.

"We are currently waiting on premises to be secured so we can get back on the high street, but we are now trading. Please private message us on this Facebook page and we will happily assist you in booking your next holiday as normal.

"We are excited to see what this next chapter brings as we move forward as part of the Hays Travel family. Keep your eyes peeled on our page for our fantastic offers."

Husband and wife team Irene and John Hays, who own the travel agent, said the company burned the midnight oil, signing the deal to buy the shops at 11.53pm on Tuesday.

"We are looking to employ as many Thomas Cook staff as possible and we are reaching out to them," said Mr Hays.

He added: "It is a game-changer for us, almost trebling the number of shops we have and doubling our workforce - and for the industry, which will get to keep some of its most talented people."

The 178-year-old Thomas Cook folded on September 23 after failing to secure a last-minute rescue deal.

The news left around 150,000 passengers stranded abroad, the last of whom were returned to the UK on Monday.