Barrhead Travel has begun a consultation process with some employees, saying it “must become leaner to move forward with its recovery” from the impact of Covid-19.
The Scottish agency, which has branches throughout Scotland and more recently other parts of the UK, said it would not comment on the number of staff affected but confirmed a number of areas of the business were included.
A spokesperson said: “We are in a period of consultation with our employees which is taking place on an individual and personal basis and we will continue to restructure during the month of July.
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“We can’t comment on specific numbers. However, I can confirm there are no collective redundancies being actioned at this time. We are making the redundancies across a number of areas in the business and locations across our network.”
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, said: “The situation which we find ourselves in now – trying to recover from the severe implications of Covid-19 – was virtually unthinkable at the turn of the year when Barrhead Travel was in the midst of the largest expansion drive of our company’s history.
“This global pandemic has wreaked havoc on our industry; we expect there is a long road ahead before travel fully recovers to what it was pre-crisis.
“Like many others within our industry, we are having to make very difficult business decisions which come as a direct result of the consequences of Covid-19. This, sadly, means that in the short-term, our business must become leaner as we move forward with our recovery plan. We have taken measures to preserve as many jobs as possible and minimise redundancies.”
Dobson added: “Since the crisis began, we took swift action to cut costs through a number of initiatives. Unfortunately, this will not be enough to sustain our business at its current scale.
“With consumer confidence dented by ongoing uncertainty surrounding quarantine and travel restrictions alongside the impending conclusion of the job retention scheme, we have had to make reductions in our team. I have every confidence we will come back strongly when the tourism industry recovers.
“Most importantly, we will be ensuring there is full support available for all of our teams – both personally and professionally – over the coming months.”
Last week, leisure commercial manager Suzanne Halil posted on social media: “I write this with a heavy heart. Unfortunately, yesterday, I found out I have been made redundant. In the 24 years I have been in travel, our industry has suffered so much over the years, but this is the worst to ever witness.
“So many companies have had to make difficult decisions to protect their future. I absolutely loved my job and would go back in a heartbeat if I could. I pray things pick up for our industry. I am going to miss my Barrhead and Travel Leaders family dearly.”
More: Barrhead Travel to begin reopening shops this month
