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Facism riots force Thomas Cook to board up shops

Thomas Cook was forced to board up its two Bolton agencies on Saturday as the English Defence League and Unite Against Facism held rallies in the town.


Most businesses were closed as thousands of demonstrators headed for the town centre with certain shops like Thomas Cook and Subway taking the extra precaution of boarding up their shops in case of trouble.


Local officials and businesses said the local economy suffered over the weekend as many people avoided the town centre but figures have not yet been calculated.


A Thomas Cook spokesman was unable to say what the financial impact had been on the two stores but confirmed that both shops had been boarded up as a precaution.


She added: “It was common knowledge that these rallies were going to be taking place so our shops were able to put signs in the windows and warn customers that they would not be open on Saturday.


“But we open on Sunday too so we advised people to come in then instead and of course there are other ways to book if a shop is closed for some reason.”

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