MYTRAVEL has confirmed 18 Travelworld shops across the
north of England will close over the next month as part of an ongoing programme
to rationalise its business.
Up to 10 staff have been made redundant as a result of
the closures, which will take place this month, but most of the 60 staff
affected have been redeployed at other shops. They are still involved in
consultation.
The news follows MyTravel’s decision to delay the
rebranding of shop fronts because of the group’s financial troubles.
MyTravel insisted the closures were unrelated to its
problems in the City and were part of an ongoing project to shut shops which
are unprofitable, where the lease has run out, or which no longer have the same
customer base .
MyTravel distribution and charter tour operations
managing director Steve Endacott said: “They’ve been earmarked for closure for
a long time. The leases all finish at the same time and we are closing the low-profit
shops. We hope most of the staff will be redeployed within other stores.”
He added: “People will pay more attention because of the
current situation but it is purely a coincidence. We would always shut shops at
this time of year because it is quieter.”
He stressed other new shops – such as a megastore in
Thurrock, Essex – have recently opened.
Last year the group announced shops would be shut as
part of its refurbishment and rebranding programme, due to finish on December 7
2002 (Travel Weekly December 3 2001).
A statement on whether MyTravel will go ahead with the
rebranding is now unlikely to be made until the start of December, after staff
have
been informed of the plans.
Sources said rebranding of shop fronts could be
completed within four days if necessary and could theoretically take place in
the first week of December – a week after the full-year results are announced
on November 26.
* The first deadline for the
payment of MyTravel deposits is up at the end of this week. The promotion has
formed part of the company’s strategy to shift more early bookings.