Talks continue in bid to secure future of holidays firm Shearings
Wigan coach and holidays operator Shearings remains in talks with the Government and its stakeholders over potential financial support in a bid to survive the impact of COVID-19.
Fears for the firm emerged last month when it was reported on April 24, that its parent company, Specialist Leisure Group, was seeking a buyer to avoid falling into administration.
The following day, Sky News reported that the group had filed a Notice of Intention (NOI) to appoint administrators to a number of subsidiaries, including Shearings and UKBreakaways.com.
Shearings chief executive, Richard Calvert, maintains that talks are still ongoing.
In a statement to TheBusinessDesk.com he said: “The travel industry has been severely affected by the impact of COVID-19 and the inability to operate any holidays on government instruction.
“Specialist Leisure Group is actively in dialogue with its stakeholders, advisors, and the Government regarding options, which include the sourcing of financial support to enable the company to weather the storm of COVID-19.
“Our objective is to protect the interests of our customers, staff and commercial partners, and I would like to thank everyone for the truly amazing messages of support during these difficult times.”
Most of the 2,600-strong workforce has already been furloughed.
The business, which was founded in Oldham in 1919 by Herbert Shearing, serves more than 170 destinations in the UK, Europe and further afield.
Its holiday offers range from coach and self-drive breaks to air travel and cruises.
The business also owns the Bay Hotels chain, UKBreakaways.com, which operates self-driving tours, and Sportingbreaks.com, a hub for organised trips to events such as the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, and Wimbledon.
