Pictured: Sue Welsh
Greater Manchester travel agent Sue Welsh is calling on industry colleagues in Stretford and Urmston join a Zoom surgery being organised by her local MP.
Kate Green, the MP for Stretford and Urmston, will hold the Zoom surgery on Friday (January 22) for travel industry professionals living and working in her constituency.
The online event has been organised after lobbying by Welsh, who has highlighted her financial plight, along with that of many other homeworkers, because of the pandemic.
Welsh operates her agency, Ace Travel 2, from home in Sale, Greater Manchester, and has not been able to secure financial support or grants from her local council.
She urges other travel agents in Sale, Stratford and Urmston to join her on the Zoom call with the MP.
Welsh has also been supported by her consortium, The Travel Network Group, which has written to Trafford Council on her behalf to highlight the impact of the pandemic on her business.
“I feel that, working from home, we are being forgotten about and unable to get any financial help from our local council,” Welsh said.
“During lockdown all the necessary bills still have to be paid such as membership fees, business insurance and day-to-day running costs of the business.
“I am very passionate about this industry and it’s been my life for over 38 years; all we want to do is survive.”
Labour MP Kate Green said: “Over the past nine months, I’ve spoken to a lot of constituents working in the travel industry.
“They are concerned about their livelihoods and how the industry can bounce back from the pandemic.
“I’ve decided to get local industry professionals together, so we can assess the current situation and discuss it collectively.”
The Zoom surgery will take place at 1:30pm, on January 22.
The event is open to all travel industry professionals who live or work within the Stretford and Urmston constituency.
Those that would like to attend are asked to email kate.green.mp@parliament.uk.