Jobs to go as Cresta and Bridge merge

REDUNDANCIES are “highly likely” following news more than 700 staff at Cresta Holidays and Bridge Travel will be consulted on a merger.

The news came “out of the blue” for the employees, who enter a 90-day consultation on July 26 on the potential amalgamation of operations of the brands at one location. Cresta managing director Steve Kimber interrupted his holiday to brief staff.

Call-centre staff are unaffected as they will “probably” not need to move, according to parent company MyTravel.

The move to relocate staff is understood to be part of MyTravel group chief executive Peter McHugh’s plan to simplify the overall company.

Cresta is based in Altrincham, Cheshire, while Bridge’s office is in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. Sources say new premises may be needed despite Bridge recently signing a 25-year lease. The merged business would retain the brands but have one management team. Sources have tipped Bridge’s managing director Brian Fell, deputy MD Alan Croft, and financial director Richard Hill as likely casualties.

A MyTravel spokeswoman added: “Depending on the consultation it is highly likely there will be redundancies.”

Existing product will stay in place for 2005 but overlapping product could be dropped in the longer term.

MyTravel stressed it is business as usual for agents booking both brands. Combined Cresta and Bridge passenger numbers are more

than 600,000.

MyTravel said the proposed merger was driven by duplication and potential cost savings. However, observers claimed infighting between the brands was a catalyst and attempted sell-offs had failed.

It is understood there was a failed management buyout attempt at Bridge while bids for Cresta were not high enough.