STAFF CUTS AT TV TRAVEL SHOP

TV TRAVEL Shop is set to make a number of staff redundant in the run-up to Christmas as it reviews back office operations.

An internal memo leaked to Travel Weekly said more than 20 positions will be affected as the company concentrates on improving its sales department.

Chief executive officer Harry Goodman said: “We are making the company more sales focused and are looking for a 25% increase in sales for next year.”

Staff will be able to take up alternative roles in TV Travel Shop’s Bromley call centre.

But Goodman admitted not everyone will want to move.

“A range of positions will be available within the call centre, but they will not be suitable for all the people we are talking to,” he said.

Goodman stressed the redundancies are not related to TV Travel Shop’s tour operation, as yet unnamed, which is set to launch in early December.

Staff were shocked by the news.

One said: “This is a move of breathtaking bad timing and leaves us all with the possibility of a very bleak yuletide indeed.”

Staff said they had received no communication from incoming managing director Seamus Conlon and one suggested this was because he was aware job cuts were on the cards.

Goodman defended Conlon, but conceded the timing of the announcement was poor.

“There is never a good time. I’m always sad when anyone has to leave the company,” he said.