Thomas Cook set to close 150 stores

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The move, affecting up to 2,800 staff, comes after the completion of the German-owned travel agent's £8 billion merger with rival MyTravel earlier this month.

Around 1,000 of the jobs are under threat at MyTravel's head office in Rochdale, where the former Airtours business was founded by David Crossland back in 1972.

Other sites under threat are MyTravel's call centre in Manchester, a customer support office in Helmshore, Lancashire, and its distribution centre in Denton, Manchester. Thomas Cook's call centre in Birmingham and its office at Manchester Airport may also close.

Unions immediately condemned the closure plans, saying it confirmed their worst fears.

Transport Salaried Staffs' Association general secretary Gerry Doherty said: "We warned when the German-owned Thomas Cook announced this merger in February that it would be the British workforce that would pay the price because of our weaker labour laws. This has now come to pass."

Travel agents have come under increasing pressure to consolidate and cut costs following increased competition from the internet.

Earlier this year, Thomson Holidays owner First Choice also announced plans to merge with European giant TUI's travel business.

Tuesday's proposed closures come as part of plans to make cost savings of around £95 million through the merger of the two businesses. The combined group's network of stores will cut by 150 to around 800 stores under the Thomas Cook brand, although MyTravel's Going Places brand will be retained in towns which have more than one store.

Thomas Cook's joint chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said Tuesday's move was a "significant UK reorganisation".