Travel agencies escape worst of flooding

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There have been isolated instances of shop closures, and the trade was keeping a close eye on rising flood waters this week as more rain was forecast.

One Thomas Cook branch in Nailsea near Bristol was closed for repair works caused by the floods.

A spokeswoman for Thomas ?Cook said a small number of ?other stores “had been affected ?to a lesser extent”.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of weather conditions and will not hesitate to take the necessary action where appropriate,” she added.

Hays Travel managing director John Hays said just one store in the southern-based Bath Travel chain had suffered a flooded basement.

“We’ve not had anything really disastrous that has closed shops. Overall the properties have held up well. Touch wood, it’s been OK,” he said.

Miles Morgan, owner of Miles Morgan Travel, whose stores in Cheltenham, Wells and Taunton are close to the Somerset Levels, said they had remained open.

Meher Oliaj, managing director of Karnak Travel in Egham, Surrey, said water levels hadn’t reached her store, but problems in the town meant customers had struggled to reach shops.

Paul Knapper, manager of Spires Travel in Worcester, said some staff had taken two hours to drive to work due to road closures.

Elkie Bird, Hoseasons’ sales executive for the south, who spends much of her time on the road, said: “It’s been a case of seeing where I can get to each day.”