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Midcounties Co-op has ‘no current plans’ to buy Freedom

Midcounties Co-op Travel has insisted that it has no current plans to acquire Freedom Travel Group.


Ben Reid, chief executive at The Midcounties Co-operative, said the business was not looking to buy the Thomas Cook-owned consortium.


Reid said he was responding to speculation sparked by the recent announcement that Freedom Travel head Alison Holmes will be joining Midcounties. He said: “We have no current plans to acquire the Freedom Travel Group or Co-operative Personal Travel Advisors.


“It’s for this reason that we were delighted to announce that Alison Holmes has agreed to join to lead our consortium and help it grow by encouraging agents and homeworkers to move over to us to enjoy the benefits of being connected to a co-operative.”


It was announced this morning that Kelly Cookes will replace Holmes as head of Freedom and Co-operative Personal Travel Advisors.


Travel Weekly reported on April 3 that Thomas Cook was close to selling Freedom, with Midcounties Co-op thought to be the frontrunner. It is not known whether discussions are continuing with other potential buyers, however rumours suggest there is one other interested party.

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