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Cruise Village cites lack of Freedom support as it defects

Blackpool agent The Cruise Village has quit Freedom Travel Group for Midcounties Co-operative, citing concerns about a lack of investment by Thomas Cook.

Phil Nuttall (pictured), managing director of the cruise specialist, said administration issues with tour operator payments were also behind his decision.

He said there had been months of uncertainty about the future of Freedom amid speculation that Thomas Cook was attempting to sell the business –something it has refused to comment on.

“The vibes led me to believe there was no future to Freedom within Thomas Cook,” said Nuttall.

“Freedom was a profitable business and it could have been a good distribution arm for Thomas Cook. But there was no sign of any investment.

“There comes a point when you have to make a decision,” he said. “We were having major administrative issues with tour operators’ payments.

“It seemed it wasn’t being treated seriously, which is a crying shame with such good members and some truly great entrepreneurs.

“This was a difficult decision for me and one not taken lightly. I’ve had such a great time at Freedom.”

Nuttall said he had chosen Midcounties because he was familiar with the Co-operative structure, and would not have to change his back-office systems.

He handed in his notice to Freedom prior to former head Alison Holmes’s decision to leave the consortium to join Midcounties.

“The people at Midcounties know my business. We run a tight ship and we’re not high-maintenance.”

Freedom head Kelly Cookes said: “While it is sad that The Cruise Village chose to give notice of its intention to leave at a time when there was speculation regarding the future of the business, we find it regrettable that the decision was made before our plans to grow Freedom were announced.”

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