Hays Travel is reviewing its shop network in south Wales following the acquisition of Tailor Made Travel – but has pledged no staff will lose their jobs.
The UK’s largest independent agency, which now has around 600 shops nationwide, bought 20-branch miniple Tailor Made and took on its 100 staff after it went into administration on September 3.
It is now looking at where there needs to be consolidation. About half of the newly-acquired stores are located in towns where Hays already has a shop.
In some locations, it could mean a Tailor Made Travel or Hays branch closing.
Speaking in a webcast on the future of travel distribution during Travel Weekly’s Future of Travel Week, joint-owner John Hays said: “We have started deciding which ones we want to consolidate but not how many yet. We might [continue to] trade both shops or we might close one but we have guaranteed to staff none will lose their jobs.”
In the case of a shop shutting, staff would be offered roles in alternative branches, he said.
Hays said the group had recognised an opportunity following the “sad” news Tailor Made Travel had gone into administration.
He said: “It’s a good acquisition for us; we are really pleased for the staff. There are some really great branches and some great staff.”
At the same time, the company revealed it was “revisiting” negotiations with landlords on shop leases acquired when it took on Thomas Cook’s 550 stores. Talks stalled at the start of the lockdown.
The group is looking at a variety of options, including lease extensions or renegotiating current agreements with landlords.
Co-owner Irene Hays stressed there was “no intention” to reduce the number of shops in the portfolio.
She said: “We are reconsidering the position in relation to the leases and renegotiating on some of these properties. The intention is to take a different approach with some of the landlords.”
