Auction site axed

MYTRAVEL’S online holiday auction facility has been shut down with the loss of 13 jobs.

The auction facility on Mytravel.com, set up at the launch of the Going Places TV station, allowed holidaymakers to bid low amounts for last-minute holidays to shift late stock.

But MyTravel said its reduction in capacity – its ATOL is now licensed to carry two million return passengers next year compared to 2.8 million in 2004 – means it no longer needs the site.

The operator fell short of admitting the site was loss-making but said holidays had been sold at very low prices.

"At the time, getting a bum on a seat for £10 was better than nothing,” said a spokeswoman.

Sales and product staff are based at the Deansgate call centre, Manchester, which is due to be closed and consolidated into MyTravel’s Holidayline call centres in Newcastle and Accrington. A total of 160 staff are in consultation, due to end next week.

A member of staff, who asked not to be named, claimed MyTravel initially told employees they would be relocated to the Rochdale head office and that staff now felt misled and left with "false hopes”.

MyTravel said all Deansgate staff had originally been warned of potential redundancy.