Thomas Cook names Yorkshire store among 21 set for closure

A Thomas Cook store in Shipley, West Yorkshire has been named as one of the 21 stores across the UK which are set to close.

The company is reducing its UK retail estate to 566 shops as part of “an ongoing programme to drive greater efficiencies across the business and address changing customer behaviour.”

As a result, 102 customer-facing roles being made redundant, while a further 218 store-based jobs are proposed to be removed across the company’s network.

Thomas Cook noted that holidaymakers are rapidly switching bookings from stores to online, and 64% of all its bookings in the UK last year were made online.

The company said the store closures and job cuts are set to “drive greater efficiencies” across the business, and a consultation process with the affected staff and their union representatives has begun.

Will Waggott, chief of tour operating, said: “Today’s announcement reflects the wider challenges seen on the high street, with more and more customers choosing to book online.

“These measures will help us to drive greater efficiencies across Thomas Cook so that we relentlessly focus our resources in those areas that give us the greatest opportunity to make a difference to customers in our core holiday offering.

“Looking ahead, we will be working to ensure that Thomas Cook is fit for the future, putting a rigorous focus on costs in a competitive environment while giving customers more reasons to holiday with the strongest brand in travel.”

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