| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 29/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 2 |
| Copyright: Other |
Retailer closes branches after reviewing sales network
Some 240 staff affected by closures
Thomas Cook axes 38 shops
Report by LISAJAMES
THOMAS Cook is to close 38 high-street shops next month following a thorough review of its network.The retailer was due to announce the decision last week but put the statement on hold following German owner Preussag’s decision to sell off its 50.1% share in order to buy rival Thomson (Travel Weekly May 22).
Thomas Cook managing director retail Manny Fontenla-Novoa said he hoped to find jobs at other branches for all 240 staff who will be affected by the closures.
Fontenla-Novoa said 36 of the shops are closing because they are too near to other Thomas Cook branches, while two – Wellington near Telford and Eccles in Greater Manchester – will close because they are not in prime locations.
“Also, there was some confusion among customers who were asking why two Thomas Cook shops were situated near to each other.
“But in the case of Wellington and Eccles, we looked at the trade and performance of those branches and demand for those locations. In both cases it wasn’t viable for us to be there.”
“These people are really good people and we do not want to lose them. We have invested time and training in them. We will look for positions that will fit their abilities and skills.”
Meanwhile, the retailer will open a new branch at Tesco in Milton Keynes in July -Êit will open for longer hours than high-street shops.
A Thomas Cook Plus shop will open in the Midlands in August, followed by a similar warehouse-style shop in the southeast next March.
Thomas Cook network closures and openings
Shops to be closed
Sycamore Road Amersham
Bank Street Ashford, Kent
College Street Belfast
William Street Belfast
High Street Billericay
Newport Street Bolton
The Palantine Bootle
St Johns Bury St Edmunds
Bank Street Castleford
Winchcombe Street Cheltenham
Fazarkerley Street Chorley
Earle Street Crewe
Market Street Eastleigh
Church Street Eccles
Morningside Edinburgh
South Street Exeter
Sandgate Folkestone
Lyon Way Glenrothes
Hamilton Way Greenock
New Street Huddersfield
Westmorland Kendal
High Street Kirkcaldy
Bakers Lane Lichfield
Saltergate Lincoln
Lord Street Liverpool
Mostyn Street Llandudno
Grosvenor Macclesfield
Gabriels Hill Maidstone
Bridge Street Morpeth
Market Place Oldham
Middlegate Penrith
Westgate Peterborough
Yorkshire Street Rochdale
High Street Rugby
Elmsleigh Centre Staines
Kirkgate Wakefield
Market Street Watford
Church Road Wellington
Planned openings
Milton Keynes (July 2000)
Thomas Cook Plus, Midlands
(August 2000)
Thomas Cook Plus, Southeast
(March 2001)
Plus a further three new town-centre
shops currently under negotiation.
Fontenla-Novoa: highlighted staff would be found other positions at nearby branches