Thomas Cook suffered a 30% fall in UK bookings this week following the announcement it needed emergency funding. But the company described reports it is poised to close 200 UK shops as “media speculation”.
Sam Weihagen, Thomas Cook interim chief executive, confirmed: “Bookings were 30% down in the UK since the announcement. But we have seen normal bookings in the rest of the group.”
He said: “One could say bookings were down only 30%. It was for a very limited time and this is a low time for bookings.
“Outside the UK we had normal bookings. It was a drop in the UK only. It was for a couple of days and was to be expected. Now it’s up to us to work hard to ensure customers retain confidence in us.”
Weihagen disputed suggestions the bad publicity had irrevocably damaged the Thomas Cook name. He said: “After all the media exposure we had, we still had great support from our customers and support from our banks. We are very secure in the strength of the brand.”
“We are very grateful for the support our customers have shown us. We will be around for years to come.”
Weihagen refused to comment on plans to close shops, but said: “Nowhere have we announced 200 shop closures. It is speculation in the media about 200.
“We are examining the shop estate, and we need to have shops that are profitable. But the way to announce this is to start internally.”
However, he confirmed the company’s commitment to its recent retail merger with the two Co-op groups – The Co-operative Travel and Midlands Co-perative.
Weihagen said: “We have the Co-ops now in our business. It something we think will give us value and we are working to make Co-op part of our business.”
He insisted: “It is business as usual. Thomas Cook is a great British institution. It has great brand value and heritage. It will remain a great brand, taking millions of customers overseas.
Weihagen said the deal “provides a very comfortable financial cushion”. “If there was any doubt about our financial future, we can now assure all holidaymakers we are robust and in very good shape going forward. We are grateful our banks acted so quickly.
“We have secured the future of the company.”